What was the first-ever case at the World Court?
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) rose from the ashes of the Second World War with the founding of the United Nations.
Set up as its judicial arm, the ICJ has two roles: to settle legal disputes between States, and to give advisory opinions on legal questions. The Court’s first-ever contentious case was brought by the United Kingdom against Albania over mine explosions that damaged British warships passing through the Corfu Channel in 1946.
Fidel Castro's Epic 1960 UN Speech
The United Nations General Assembly requests that delegates limit their addresses to 15 minutes. On 26 September 1960, Fidel Castro of Cuba remained on the rostrum for 269 minutes, making his address the longest timed speech in General Assembly history.
Founding of the United Nations 1945
In the summer of 1945, leaders from 50 countries gathered in San Francisco to agree upon an international treaty to enshrine the equal rights of all people and maintain peace.
A Mideast Mediator's Murder in Palestine 1948
On 17th September, 1948, Count Folke Bernadotte, a United Nations Mediator for Palestine, was murdered in Jerusalem by a Zionist militant organization.
Count Bernadotte's presence in Palestine followed the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine and the subsequent unilateral Israeli Declaration of Independence.
Did Khrushchev bang his shoe at the UN?
Soviet Premier Nikita Krushchev was rumoured to have banged his shoe on his delegation’s desk during a UN General Assembly meeting on 12 October 1960.
Utilizing material from the UN Audiovisual Library, this production explores the moment as captured by UN media coverage and asks: Is the legend fact or fiction?
1st Woman President of the United Nations General Assembly: Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
In 1953, the United Nations elected India’s Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit as the 8th President of the General Assembly, the first woman elected to the role.
First Session of UN General Assembly - 10 January 1946
The United Nations convened the First Session of the General Assembly on 10 January 1946 in London, England.
Delegates representing 51 nations attended the session, wherein the scope and purpose of the United Nations was defined. Utilizing material from the UN Audiovisual Library, this production offers a glimpse into the environment, proceedings, and addresses delivered at the First Session.