The birth of The United Nations

Today the United Nations is working with the likes of Ebola, poverty and countries torn by civil wars and military intervention. 69 years ago, in 1945, countries across the world were lying in shatters and attempting to rebuild with nearly two months having passed since the end of World War II. Indeed, fighting had stopped, but this was only the beginning of the challenge to keep the world at peace.

On this very day, October 24th 1945, a short ceremony took place at the US State Department in Washington to officially inaugurate the United Nations Organisation. The name was given by US President Franklin D Roosevelt The Charter was signed by 50 nations, and US Secretary of State James Byrnes stated it was now part of the law of nations.

Despite this significant step forwards for world peace, it was till emphasised that the most progress will be a result of actions, not just official documents. Nonetheless, the aim of the UN was the same then as it is now; to maintain human rights and security for the people of today and future generations.

Before the UN came the League of Nations, which was established after World War I, but it failed in preventing another global war. However, it provided some of the moral base and structure for the new organisation. The UN headquarters is in the US, but interestingly, the UK, France, and the Netherlands voted against this decision.

Today, the UN is compiled of 191 member states. Yet, finishing on an interesting fact, these states do not include The Vatican or Taiwan.