United Nations Day

United Nations Day History

United Nations Day celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the United Nations Charter which occurred on October 24, 1945. The United Nations is an international organization engaged in the diplomatic and peaceful communication between the countries of the world. The organization oversees issues like human rights, international security, political freedoms and democracy with an end goal of achieving of world peace.

The UN Charter was officially signed on June 26th, 1945 but it could not come into existence until the signatory states had ratified it and deposited notification to the effect with the US Department of State. This occurred on October 24th, 1945. The organization's Charter has now been ratified by most countries in the world. The United Nations is a global organization with six official languages, English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic. United Nations Day is observed on October 24th each year.

United Nations Day facts

• The theme for United Nations Day in 2024 was The World Needs the UN; the UN Needs Us. In 2023 the theme was Actions for peace: Our ambition for the #globalgoals.
• The beginning of the United Nations can be traced back to the formation of the 'League of Nations'. This group was formed at the end of World War I with the Treaty of Versailles.
• President Franklin D. Roosevelt first used the term 'United Nations' during World War II. This is when 26 countries came together and pledged to support one another in the war effort as the Allied powers.
• The United Nations headquarters are located in New York City. The land on which the building sits is not considered US territory. The land and buildings are under the sole authority of the United Nations, although they have a treaty agreement with the US to attempt to conform to all local, state and federal laws.
• There are 193 member states of the United Nations.
• In tomorrow's world we must all work together as hard as ever, if we're truly to be United Nations. - Queen Elizabeth II, Speech to address United Nations

In the News and Trending in the US for United Nations Day

Top things to do in the US for United Nations Day

• Read the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights to understand what fundamental rights are universally protected.
• Visit the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
• Attend an international bazaar or festival.
• Host an international fair for neighborhood kids. Have samples of food, clothing, songs, and language present from each country. Ask people from different ethnic backgrounds to host a country similar to their background.
• Visit the UNICEF website and learn about the UN efforts in regards to children around the world.