Original: U Thant ( ; ; Ë uË Ë Î É ` Ë nt ; January 22 , 1909 â '' November 25 , 1974 ) was a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations , from 1961 to 1971 .
Simplified: U Thant 22 January 1909 -- 25 November 1974 ) was a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations , from 1961 to 1971 .