24 January 2011: Official Opening Ceremony of World Veterinary Year (Versailles, France)[1] February 2011: Veterinary Council of Ireland hosted a ceremony awarding medals to veterinary surgeons who had practiced for over 50 years.[7] 12–16 May 2011: World conference on veterinary education (Lyon, France).[3] 17 July 2011: Symposium "World Veterinary Year: 250 Years of Improving Animal and Human Health" at the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, United States).[8] 10–14 October 2011: International Closing Ceremony (Cape Town, South Africa),[2] alongside the 30th World Veterinary Conference.[3]