Simply put, it is the birthday of the United Nations. On 24 October 1945, the United Nations was formally established after a majority of its founding members ratified a treaty setting up the world body. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recommending that the day be observed as a public holiday by Member States. Traditionally, it has been marked throughout the world by meetings, discussions and exhibits on the goals and achievements of the Organization.
Because it provides an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of the United Nations.
In the words of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in every corner of the world - the United Nations is
a living testament of hope. The United Nations lives in the hearts and minds of every citizen to
end violence and promote tolerance; advance development and ensure equality; protect human
rights and alleviate poverty. The United Nations, at its best, enables the achievement of those
highest of human aspirations.
The observance of United Nations Day is affirmation of our faith in those human aspirations.
Traditionally, UN Day is marked by an international concert at the General Assembly. Sometimes, special events are arranged, electronically linking the UN with cities around the world.
The Day is also notable for messages issued by the UN Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly. A video taped message of the Secretary-General is often shown by national TV stations around the world.
In addition, special briefings are arranged for non-governmental organizations on UN-related topics. Sometimes schools and civic groups arrange “peace marches” and other celebratory events.
The observance of UN Day serves as a reminder that the world is our common home and through
dialogue and cooperation among all, our problems could be solved. There are many ways you
can celebrate the day. Here are a few suggestions:
In your school:
In your community:
Contact your nearest United Nations office. In most countries, UN Information Centres offer free
information materials for use during UN celebrations. Check on the internet at www.un.org/unics
to find out if there is an Information centre near you. You may also contact Public Inquiries at the
United Nations at the following address:
United Nations, Public Inquiries Unit, New York, NY 10017
Tel: 212-963-4475; Fax: 212-963-0071
E-mail: inquiries@un.org
Internet: http;//www.un.org/geninfo/faq
The idea of creating a world organization for promoting peace and friendship among nations was
born in the painful days of the Second World War (1939-1945). As city after city lay in ruins, world
leaders began contemplating how lasting peace could be achieved. This was the road they
followed:
Inter-Allied Declaration: Signed in London on 12 June 1941, the Inter-Allied Declaration- “to
work together. With other free peoples, both in war and in peace” – was a first step towards the
establishment of the United Nations.
Atlantic Charter: On 14 August 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt of the United States
of America and Prime Minister Winston Churchill of the United Kingdom proposed a set of
principles for international collaboration in maintaining peace and security. The document, signed
during a meeting on the ship HMS Prince of Wales, “somewhere at sea”, is known as the Atlantic
Charter.
Declaration by United Nations: On 1 January 1942, representatives of 26 Allied nations fighting
against the Axis Powers met in Washington, D.C. to pledge their support for the Atlantic Charter
by signing the “Declaration by United Nations”. This document contained the first official use of
the term “United Nations”, which was suggested by President Roosevelt.
Moscow and Teheran Declarations: In a declaration signed in Moscow on 30 October 1943, the
Governments of the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and China called for an
early establishment of an international organization to maintain peace and security. That goal was
reaffirmed at the meeting of the leaders of the United States, the USSR, and the United Kingdom
at Teheran on 1 December 1943.
Dumbarton Oaks Conference: The first blueprint of the UN was prepared at a conference held
at a mansion known as Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C. During two phases of meetings
which ran from 21 September through 7 October 1944, the United States, the United Kingdom,
the USSR and China agreed on the aims, structure, and functioning of a world organization.
Yalta Conference: On 11 February 1945, following meetings at Yalta, President Roosevelt,
Prime Minister Churchill and Premier Joseph Stalin declared their resolve to establish “a general
international organization to maintain peace and security”.
San Francisco Conference: On 25 April 1945, delegates of 50 nations met in San Francisco for
the United Nations Conference on International Organization. The delegates drew up the 111 –
article Charter, which was adopted unanimously on 25 June 1945 in the San Francisco Opera
House. The next day, they signed it in the Theatre auditorium of the Veterans War Memorial
Building.
24 October 1945
United Nations is created as its Charter is ratified by the five permanent members of the Security
Council and the majority of other signatories, and comes into force.
10 January 1946
First General Assembly, with 51 nations represented opens in Central Hall, Westminster, London.
17 January 1946
Security Council meets for the first time in London, adopting its rules of procedure.
24 January 1946
General Assembly adopts its first resolution. Its main focus: peaceful uses of atomic energy and
the elimination of atomic and other weapons of mass destruction.
1 February 1946
Trygve Lie of Norway becomes first Secretary-General.
24 October 1947
“United Nations Day” officially designated by the General Assembly.
June 1948
First UN observer mission established in Palestine –the UN Truce Supervision Organization
(UNTSO).
10 December 1948
General Assembly adopts Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
7 January 1949
A UN envoy, Ralph Bunche, secures cease-fire between the new State of Israel and Arab States.
24 October 1949
Cornerstone laid for present UN Headquarters in New York City.
27 June 1950
Security Council, acting in the absence of the Soviet Union, calls on Member States to help
southern part of Korea repel invasion of the North. The Korean Armistice Agreement is signed on
27 July 1953 by the UN Command and the Chinese-North Korean Command.
1954
UN High Commissioner for Refugees wins first of two Nobel Peace Prizes, for its work with
European refugees.
7 November 1956
First Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly meets on the Suez Canal crisis and,
on 5 November, decides to establish the first UN peacekeeping force- the UN Emergency Force
(UNEF).
September 1960
17 newly independent States, 16 from Africa, join the UN – the biggest increase in membership in
any one year.
18 September 1961
Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold dies in an aircraft crash while on mission to Congo.
7 August 1963
Security Council votes voluntary arms embargo against South Africa.
4 March 1964
Security Council approves dispatch of peacekeeping force to Cyprus.
1965
UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
27 October 1966
General Assembly strips South Africa of its mandate to govern South-West Africa (Namibia).
16 December 1966
Mandatory sanctions are imposed against Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) by the Security Council.
22 November 1967
Following the six-day war in 1967, the Security Council, after lengthy negotiations, adopts
resolution 242 (1967), as the basis for achieving peace in the Middle East.
12 June 1968
General Assembly approves treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and calls for its
ratification.
4 January 1969
The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial discrimination comes into
force.
1969
The International Labour organization (ILO) is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
25 October 1971
General Assembly votes to seat representatives of the People’s Republic of China.
June 1972
The first UN Environment Conference is held in Stockholm, Sweden, leading to the establishment
of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), headquartered in Nairobi.
13 November 1974
General Assembly recognizes the Palestine Liberation Organization as “the sole legitimate
representative of the Palestinian people”.
June-July 1975
International Women’s Year is marked by the first UN conference on women, held in Mexico City.
4 November 1977
Security Council adopts mandatory arms embargo against South Africa.
May-June 1978
General Assembly convenes special session, for the first time, on disarmament.
18 December 1979
General Assembly adopts the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women, covering political, economic, social, cultural, and civic values.
8 May 1980
Three years after the last case was reported, the World Heath Organization (WHO) officially
declares smallpox eradicated.
1981
UN High Commissioner for Refugees is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the second time, for
its assistance to Asian refugees.
25 November, 1981
General Assembly adopts Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and
Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.
10 December 1982
New UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is signed by 117 States and two entities – the largest
number of signatures ever affixed to a treaty on its first day.
December 1984
Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar sets up a UN office for Emergency Operations in
Africa to help coordinate famine relief efforts.
10 December 1984
General Assembly adopts the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
July 1985
Thousands gather in Nairobi to attend the third UN conference on women, marking the end of the
UN Decade for Women.
September 1987
Efforts of UNEP lead to the signing of the Treaty on the Protection of the Ozone Layer – known
as the Montreal Convention on the Ozone layer.
1988
UN Peacekeeping operations awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, at the time there were seven
peacekeeping or observer missions in operation.
April 1989
UN Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) is deployed throughout Namibia to monitor South
Africa’s withdrawal and provide electoral assistance. Elections were held in November 1989;
Namibia becomes independent on 21 March 1990.
2 September 1990
Convention on the Rights of the Child comes into force.
29-30 September 1990
UNICEF convenes the World Summit for Children, attended by 71 Heads of State and
Government. A Plan of Action is adopted.
31 May 1991
A cease-fire in the 16-year civil war in Angola is negotiated, and then administered by the UN
Angola Verification Mission. (UNAVEM II)
31 December 1991
Agreement signed at UN Headquarters, through the good offices of the Secretary-General,
between the Government of El Salvador and FMLN (National Liberation Front).
31 January 1992
First ever Security Council Summit, with leaders from all 15 members in attendance, is held in
New York leading to the Secretary-General’s report, “An Agenda for Peace”.
June 1992
The UN conference on Environment and Development, the “Earth Summit”, is held in Rio de
Janeiro attended by leaders from over 100 countries, the largest intergovernmental gathering in
history, resulting in Agenda 21, a plan of action for sustainable development.
17 June 1992
Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali issues “An Agenda for Peace” on preventive diplomacy,
peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peace building.
1993
UN- supervised elections were held in Cambodia resulting in a new government, and the drafting
of a new constitution, ending nearly 15 years of strife in the war-torn country.
June 1993
The world Conference on Human Rights is held in Vienna, which commemorated the
International Year for the World’s Indigenous people (1993).
1993 and 1999
The United Nations sets up two international tribunals – the International Criminal Tribunal for the
Former Yugoslavia and the International Tribunal for Rwanda – to prosecute persons responsible
for mass violations of international humanitarian law.
23 June 1994
Elections are held in South Africa from 26 to 29 April, observed by 2,527 staff of the United
Nations Observer Mission in South Africa (UNOMSA) deployed around the country. On 25 May,
the Security Council lifted the arms embargo and other restrictions against South Africa. On 23
June, after 24 years, South Africa took its place once again in the General Assembly.
5-15 September 1994
The International Conference on Population and Development, is held in Cairo, attended by
representatives from 179 countries and addressed by 249 speakers. The Conference had
population, economic growth and sustainable development as its overall theme.
October 1994
Mozambique’s first multi-party elections are held on 27-29 October, monitored by some 2,300
international observers.
1995
A world-wide, year-long programme of activities and celebrations marks the fiftieth Anniversary of
the United Nations. The theme of the anniversary was “We the peoples of the United
Nations…United for a Better World”.
March 1995
The World Summit for Social Development – one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in
history – meets in Copenhagen to renew the commitment to combating poverty, unemployment
and social exclusion.
September 1995
The Fourth World conference on women meets in Beijing to continue international efforts to
advance the status of women worldwide and adopts a Platform for Action.
10 September 1996
The General Assembly adopted the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban treaty. This is a turning
point in the history of efforts towards nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The treaty was
opened for signature on 24 September.
17 December 1996
An international treaty banning use, production and stockpiling of landmines is adopted.
January 1998
Louise Frechette from Canada becomes the first Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
July 1998
120 countries agree to set up an International Criminal Court with the power to investigate and
bring to justice individuals who commit crimes against humanity.
June 1999
The Security Council sets up the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and
asks it to help rebuild war-torn Kosovo.
July 1999
The United Nations organizes an election in East Timor to decide its future status. More than 78
percent of voters favour independence.
14 September 1999
Three new countries – Kiribati, Nauru and Tonga – join the UN, raising the total membership to
188.
June 2000
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) that cares for 3-and-a-half million
Palestinians celebrated its 50th anniversary. Israeli troops pulled out of southern Lebanon and
the role of the UN Peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was revised.
5 September 2000
Tuvalu joins the UN, raising the total membership to 189.
6-8 September 2000
The 3-day Millennium Summit held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, was attended by
100 heads of State, 47 heads of Government, 3 Crown Princes, 5 Vice-Presidents and 3 Deputy
Prime Ministers – the largest gathering of world leaders in history. Millennium Declaration
identified six core values essential to global relations: Freedom, Equality, Solidarity, Tolerance,
Respect for nature, shared responsibility.
18 September 2000
General Assembly adopts the United Nations Millennium Declaration including 8 Millennium
Development Goals (MDG).
24 October 2000
On UN Day 2000, the Security Council held its first-ever meeting on “Women and Peace and
Security”, at which it noted that women, often the main victims of war, have and should continue
to play a significant role in ending armed conflicts and rebuilding their societies.
27 June 2001
General Assembly adopts the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS.
29 June 2001
Acting on a recommendation by the Security Council, the General Assembly appointed Mr. Kofi
Annan by acclamation to a second term of office, beginning on 1 January 2002.
9 July 2001
United Nations conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects
takes place.
11 September 2001
Secretary-General condemns terrorist attacks on the United States.
12 September 2001
Security Council condemns, ‘in strongest terms’, terrorist attacks on United States.
28 September 2001
Security Council unanimously adopts wide-ranging anti-terrorism resolution: calls for suppressing
financing, improving international cooperation.
20 November 2001
UNICEF and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announce the launch of a
global alliance for children.
10 December 2001
Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the United Nations received Nobel Peace Prize.
18 – 22 March 2002
UN International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico: objective is to
mobilize resources for economic growth.
28 March 2002
Security Council endorses the establishment of a United Nations Assistance Mission in
Afghanistan (UNAMA).
10 April 2002
The entry into force of the Rome Statute to establish the International Criminal (ICC) is ratified.
10 September 2002
th
Switzerland becomes the 190
Member State of the United Nations.
16 September 2002
High-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly to consider how to support the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development takes place.
27 September 2002
st
Timor-Leste becomes the 191
Member State of the United Nations.
4 February 2003
First resumed session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court (ICC) completed its work: 18 judges elected.
19 August 2003
Fatal Bomb Blast at United Nations Headquarters in Iraq killed 22.
24 October 2003
‘Memorial to the Fallen’ unveiled by Secretary-General to all those who lost their lives while
serving for the United Nations.
16 April 2004
Annan names independent panel to probe Oil-for-Food allegations.
29 December 2004
UN coordinates aid to tsunami survivors.
22 March 2005
Launch of the International Decade for Action: Water for Life (2005 – 2015).
28 March 2005
Security Council approves on 10,000-strong UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).
31 August 2005
Security Council establishes UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) to further address
root causes of conflict.
14 – 16 September 2005
2005 World Summit brought together the heads of most Member States: the largest gathering of
world leaders in history.
21 October 2005
United Nations Day – Celebrating 60 years
27 October 2005
Report on the Oil-for-Food Programme released by independent panel.
20 December 2005
General Assembly, acting concurrently with Security Council, established United Nations
Peacebuilding Commission.
09 March 2006
Secretary-General Kofi Annan launched the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to
alleviate starvation in the Horn of Africa.
19 June 2006
Inauguration of Human Rights Council and its First Session took place.
28 June 2006
The Republic of Montenegro becomes the 192
Member State of the United Nations.
13 October 2006
Acting on a recommendation by the Security Council, the General Assembly appointed
Ban Ki-moon (Republic of Korea) as the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, beginning
on 1 January 2007.
Not an official document. For information only.