---
title: "A NYC street section to be named after an Estonian diplomat"
id: "82933"
type: "post"
slug: "a-nyc-street-section-to-be-named-after-an-estonian-diplomat"
published_at: "2025-11-11T01:25:11+00:00"
modified_at: "2025-11-12T17:37:09+00:00"
url: "https://estonianworld.com/life/a-nyc-street-section-to-be-named-after-an-estonian-diplomat/"
markdown_url: "https://estonianworld.com/life/a-nyc-street-section-to-be-named-after-an-estonian-diplomat.md"
excerpt: "On 18 November, a street in New York City will be officially named in honour of the distinguished Estonian diplomat Ernst Jaakson, at a ceremony […]"
taxonomy_category:
  - "Life"
publisher: "Estonian World"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sten Hankewitz"
author_url: "https://estonianworld.com/author/stenhankewitz/"
---

# A NYC street section to be named after an Estonian diplomat

![Ernst Jaakson, stationed at Estonia’s Consulate General in New York City, safeguarded Estonia’s legal continuity through 69 years of uninterrupted diplomatic service. After the country regained independence, he was appointed Estonia’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN on 5 September 1991 (pictured here with US President George H. W. Bush). After passing the post to his successor, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Jaakson continued his work at the Consulate General until his death on 4 September 1998. Photo by the Estonian foreign ministry.](https://estonianworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1991-Jaaksoni-volikiri-Bushile-1024x827-2.jpg)

Ernst Jaakson, stationed at Estonia’s Consulate General in New York City, safeguarded Estonia’s legal continuity through 69 years of uninterrupted diplomatic service. After the country regained independence, he was appointed Estonia’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN on 5 September 1991 (pictured here with US President George H. W. Bush). After passing the post to his successor, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Jaakson continued his work at the Consulate General until his death on 4 September 1998. Photo by the Estonian foreign ministry.

By  [Sten Hankewitz](https://estonianworld.com/author/stenhankewitz/)
  ·  November 11, 2025  · [Life](https://estonianworld.com/category/life/)
 · 2 minutes of reading

### On 18 November, a street in New York City will be officially named in honour of the distinguished Estonian diplomat Ernst Jaakson, at a ceremony marking his extraordinary legacy.

Jaakson served in Estonia’s foreign service for more than 79 years – from 20 August 1919 to 3 September 1998 – making him the longest-serving diplomat in history. His most remarkable achievement was upholding the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia throughout the decades of Soviet occupation.

Operating from the Estonian Consulate General in New York, Jaakson maintained close relations with senior American politicians and the Estonian diaspora, steadfastly advocating for his country’s sovereignty.

[https://estonianworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ernst-Jaaksoni-kohtumine-president-Ronald-Reaganiga.jpeg](https://estonianworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ernst-Jaaksoni-kohtumine-president-Ronald-Reaganiga.jpeg)

Ernst Jaakson meeting the then-US president, Ronald Reagan, in 1982.

After Estonia regained its independence in 1991, Jaakson, then 86, was appointed Estonia’s ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the United Nations – a fitting culmination to a life devoted to his nation.

[https://estonianworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ernst-Jaakson-aastal-1965.jpeg](https://estonianworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ernst-Jaakson-aastal-1965.jpeg)

Ernst Jaakson in 1965.

The street section named after Jaakson lies in Manhattan, at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Tunnel Exit Street on East 34th Street – a short walk from the New York Estonian House and the Empire State Building.

The inauguration will be led by Estonia’s foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, together with New York City Council Member for District 4, Keith Powers.

The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for 18 November at 4:00 p.m. local time.

## About The Author

![Avatar photo](https://estonianworld.com/wp-content/uploads/local-avatars/15/1707599474-bpfull-100x100.jpg)

[Sten Hankewitz](https://estonianworld.com/author/stenhankewitz/)
Sten Hankewitz is a lifelong journalist and the Executive Editor at Estonian World. Having lived in Estonia, Spain, the UK and all around the US, he now resides in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He loves to write and besides working at Estonian World, he [writes books](https://estonianworld.com/culture/the-grand-illusion-estonian-worlds-sten-hankewitz-publishes-a-novel-about-growing-up-in-the-soviet-union/)
 and contributes to other outlets. He has strong convictions and shows them unashamedly. You can follow Sten on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@stenhankewitz)
, [X](https://twitter.com/stenhankewitz)
 and [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/shankewitz/)
. You can also [email him](mailto:sten@estonianworld.com)
.