As a member of the board of directors of the American Society of the French Academic Palms, Professor of French John C. O'Neal was invited to attend the United Nations' celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first event recognizing the importance of the Francophone world. Some 400 people were on hand to listen to speeches, live or recorded, by the secretary general of the United Nations and a number of other dignitaries. The event was held on March 26 at the Manhattan Center in New York City.