Shimon Peres
Photo: Reuters
Shimon Peres becomes Guinness world record holder
President achieves the record for teaching the world's largest online civics class, held in Cisco offices in Netanya and streamed via Facebook.
Shimon Peres, Israel's 90-year-old president, is a former prime minister, defense minister, finance minister and foreign minister, and has a Nobel Peace Prize. Now, he has added another title to his extensive repertoire: holder of a Guinness world record.
Guinness official Marco Frigatti says Peres achieved the record Thursday morning when he taught the largest online civics class in the world.
Frigatti says Guinness liked the idea "because it combines civics, technology and a teacher who has seen the country from its origins to today."
Peres reached out to 9,000 students nationwide. He gave the class from the office of Cisco Systems Inc. in the northern coastal city of Netanya. The lecture was streamed live via the president's Facebook page.
Despite his age, Peres has a busy daily schedule. He has kept on top of the latest technology, embracing social media and backing high-tech industries.
In 2013, Peres hosted a star-studded 90th birthday party at the National Convention Center in Jerusalem. Guests included Barbra Stresiand, Robert de Niro and Sharon Stone, as well as Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. The presidfent also received video greetings from Angela Merkel, Bono, Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama.
