United Nations Day

In the spring of 1945, representatives of fifty nations gathered in San Francisco to put the final touches to a document of far-reaching consequences: the Charter of the United Nations. The UN Charter went into effect on 24 October 1945. Two years later, on 31 October 1947, the General Assembly adopted a USA-sponsored resolution declaring 24 October United Nations Day: "that October 24 shall hereafter be officially called United Nations  Day, and shall be devoted to making known to the people of the world  the aims and achievements of the United Nations, and to gaining their  support for the work of the United Nations".

Since 1947, United Nations Day has been observed in nations large and small around the world (poster 1953).

In the United States, each President, beginning with Harry Truman, has issued a proclamation asking citizens to observe UN Day and to reflect upon the importance of the United Nations to the US national interest, as well as to each American individually. In 1961, President Kennedy appointed Robert S. Benjamin, Chairman of United Artists Corporation, as chairman of the U.S. Committee for the United Nations and as the first National UN Day Chairman. 

On this day the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly issue messages and a concert is held in the General Assembly Hall. In the Netherlands UN Day is celebrated with the "Night of the United Nations" in Amsterdam. Here debates, forums and performances take place. Also the Dutch youth representative to the General Assembly is chosen. The public gets a chance to discuss UN politics with the Minister for Development Cooperation, former UNHCR Ruud Lubbers and major political figures.

The first young person to go to the General Assembly was Queen Beatrix (then crown princess). Since 1971 the Netherlands have included a youth in the delegation. Some of these young people are now a member of parliament or have other high-ranking posts.

Since the start of the United Nations stamps have been issued to commemorate the birthday of the organization.

Link

Website of de Nacht van de VN (in Dutch).

Stamp catalogue - 1946

Austria 25 June 1946

Stamp catalogue - 1959

Tunisia 24 October 1959

Stamp catalogue - 1960

Tunisia 24 October 1960

Stamp catalogue - 1961

Tunisia 24 October 1961

Stamp catalogue - 1962

Tunisia 24 October 1962

Stamp catalogue - 1963

Tunisia 24 October 1963

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last revised: 5 July 2009