Posted on Jan 10, 2026
First meeting of the United Nations | January 10, 1946 | HISTORY
224
14
5
8
8
0
The first General Assembly of the United Nations, comprising 51 nations, convenes at Westminster Central Hall in London, England.
One week later, the U.N. Security Council met for the first time and established its rules of procedure. Then, on January 24, the General Assembly adopted its first resolution, a measure calling for the peaceful uses of atomic energy and the elimination of atomic and other weapons of mass destruction.
In 1944, at the Dumbarton Oaks conference in Washington, D.C., the groundwork was laid by Allied delegates for an international postwar organization to maintain peace and security in the postwar world. The organization was to possess considerably more authority over its members than the defunct League of Nations, which had failed in its attempts to prevent the outbreak of World War II. In April 1945, with celebrations of victory in Europe about to commence, delegates from 51 nations convened in San Francisco to draft the United Nations Charter. On June 26, the document was signed by the delegates, and on October 24 it was formally ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council and a majority of other signatories.
One week later, the U.N. Security Council met for the first time and established its rules of procedure. Then, on January 24, the General Assembly adopted its first resolution, a measure calling for the peaceful uses of atomic energy and the elimination of atomic and other weapons of mass destruction.
In 1944, at the Dumbarton Oaks conference in Washington, D.C., the groundwork was laid by Allied delegates for an international postwar organization to maintain peace and security in the postwar world. The organization was to possess considerably more authority over its members than the defunct League of Nations, which had failed in its attempts to prevent the outbreak of World War II. In April 1945, with celebrations of victory in Europe about to commence, delegates from 51 nations convened in San Francisco to draft the United Nations Charter. On June 26, the document was signed by the delegates, and on October 24 it was formally ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council and a majority of other signatories.
First meeting of the United Nations | January 10, 1946 | HISTORY
Posted from history.com
World History
WWII World War Two
Cold War
Posted 11 d ago
Responses: 5
2
2
0
Rather than complain about the UN, as many do, we should work toward improving it.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
The UN seems to have a mixed history in terms of being somewhat effective, and somewhat ineffective. It does get some things done really well, and then I feel like it dithers entirely too much. That all said, regardless of any stumbles, having an international body that will actually talk seems to be such a good thing, I'm stunned that some people argue it should be de-funded by the US. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it survives.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
The UN started out with the best intentions. It has devolved into an 'us versus the US' institution.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google