Published 16:45 IST, October 24th 2020
United Nations 75th Anniversary: UN officially came into existence on this day in 1945
United Nations was formed to negotiate peace for the nations across the globe in case of international conflict, term was coined by US President Roosevelt.
- World News
- 3 min read
On this day in history, October 24, 1945, the United Nations officially came into existence after the Charter signed on June 26, 1945, was enforced as it celebrates the 75th anniversary, 2020. The organization was formed with an intent to negotiate peace for the nations across the globe in case of international conflict which was the role of the old League of Nations. Delegates were appointed basis the proposals which were drafted by the representatives of the United Kingdom, China, United States, and the Soviet Union, at Dumbarton Oaks, United States.
The organization's name United Nations was coined by the then US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the UN's Declaration of 1 January 1942. At a conference on 26 June 1945, a total of 50 countries, except Poland which wasn’t the representative, signed the historic charter. These member nations, later on, became the permanent 51 UN Member States in the UN. To this date, the UN officially has 193 nations as its Member States. On this day, the UN celebrates the United Nations Day each year. UN's charter enabled the UN to take global action on humanitarian issues, health emergencies, gender equality, governance, food production, and many more.
“The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter,” the UN informed in the release, referring to the June 1945 agreement.
Furthermore, the UN-appointed Chief Administrative Officer became the Secretary-General of the world organization. UN formulated its first principles at the San Francisco Conference presided by President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin in the year 1945 in early April. As many as 50 nations, nine continental European states, 21 North, Central, and South American republics, seven Middle Eastern states, five British Commonwealth nations, two Soviet republics, two East Asian nations, and 3 African states attended the conference.
[Secretary-General of the world organization UN, Antonio Gueterras]
["Traditions of Peace and Non-violence”, UN Day concert featuring Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan with The Refugee Orchestra Project.Credit: UN]
[Representatives of 26 nations pledged their governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers in the Declaration by United Nations of 1 January 1942 headed by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Credit: UN]
UDHR adopted
Later, in the year 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 in presence of the legal and cultural representatives of nations of the world. The historic document sought to preserve and protect the fundamental human rights of all members of the human family worldwide. With the formation of the UN, the Member States pledged to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the goals and universal respect of the organization and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy the freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,” the UN declared.
Updated 16:44 IST, October 24th 2020