On June 26, 1945, delegates from 50 nations came together to sign the United Nations Charter – a historic moment for global peace and progress.
To mark the UN’s 70th anniversary this year, over the coming week, we will be sharing 70 facts about the UN and the work it does around the world.
You can find the first 10 facts here, and check out the list below for 10 more.
1. London was the site of the first UN general assembly, which convened in January 1946. (Tweet me)
2. The International Court of Justice is headquartered at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. (Tweet me)
3. In 1958, with the Space Race underway, the UN established the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. (Tweet me)
4. The UN has four main offices around the world: New York, Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. These locations all house many different UN agencies. (Tweet me)
5. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt coined the term “United Nations.” It was first used during World War II. (Tweet me)
6. The first successful UN-led shelter program was the distribution of blankets to people in WWII-ravaged Europe. (Tweet me)
7. Women make up 30% of civilian peacekeepers. (Tweet me)
8. China was the first country to sign the Charter on June 26, 1945. Forty-nine other countries also signed on that day. (Tweet me)
9. Up to 8,000 people help build a better world every year through the UN Volunteers program. (Tweet me)
10. Photo: The cornerstone of the UN headquarters in New York was laid on October 24, 1949 – the UN’s fourth birthday. (Credit: UN Photo)