United Nations Day

United Nations Day is for celebrating the the formation of the United Nations in 1945. Who celebrates? All the US states do, as well as the 81 countries that are members of the United Nations. United Nations Day is always celebrated on October 24th because that's the day when the United Nations was made official.

United Nations - Who Are They?

Before there was a United Nations, there was an international organization called the League of Nations. The League of Nations broke up after they were unable to prevent World War II. On January 1, 1942, in the middle of World War II, representatives from 26 nations signed the Declaration by United Nations, which was an agreement to fight together against the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy and Japan). The name United Nations was thought up by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Not long after that, there was a United Nations conference in San Francisco. Representatives from 50 countries got together and signed the United Nations Charter on October 24, 1945. Even more countries signed the charter later on.

United Nations - What Does It Do?

The purpose of the UN is to "preserve peace, advance justice and constitute a permanent structure for international cooperation." In other words, the United Nations acts as a world forum to help countries work together to achieve peace and human rights. The leader of the UN is Secretary General Kofi Annan.

United Nations - Celebrations

Some towns celebrate by holding public rallies with speakers who share what the UN has accomplished. Some towns have festivals with music and dancing. No celebration would be complete without a huge banquet with tons of food from different countries.

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More Behind the Holiday!

Read more: Behind the Holiday