On 24 March, the United States Permanent Mission to the United Nations hosted a commemoration event at Hunter College (now Lehman College) in the Bronx to mark the 80th anniversary of the first Security Council meeting on American soil.
The gathering brought together the Secretary-General and current Permanent Representatives to revisit the site of the UN’s earliest temporary Headquarters in the United States.
The original meeting took place on 25 March 1946, when the college’s gymnasium, swimming pool, and other facilities were repurposed to host the Security Council. It was here that the Council convened for its 24th meeting.
During the event, historical photographs displayed in the gymnasium and the flags of some founding Member States displayed on campus recreated the atmosphere of that historic day, offering delegates a vivid sense of stepping back in time.
Following a guided courtyard tour led by Professor Emeritus of History Duane Tananbaum and informal interactions with students, the Secretary-General and accompanying delegates attended a presentation by Rula Hinedi, Chief of the Guided Tours Unit.
Her talk highlighted the history of the Security Council at Hunter College, giving guests insight into the layout of the rooms and the conduct of meetings during that period.
The program continued at the Music Building, where Michael Buckley, Associate Professor at Lehman College, delivered a presentation exploring humanitarian efforts, Eleanor Roosevelt’s contributions to the United Nations, and the early roles of ECOSOC and the IAEA.
Through carefully recreated admission tickets from 1946, curated displays of flags and photographs, and engaging presentations, attendees were reminded that their mission is part of a long-standing tradition.
