51³Ô¹Ï

The 51³Ô¹Ï emblem in the General Assembly Hall
The 51³Ô¹Ï emblem in the General Assembly Hall.
Photo:UN/Cia Pak

A symbol of hope for global unity

51³Ô¹Ï Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the 51³Ô¹Ï officially came into being.

There is no other global organization with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact of the 51³Ô¹Ï. No other global organization gives hope to so many people for a better world and can deliver the future we want. Today, the urgency for all countries to come together, to fulfil the promise of the nations united, has rarely been greater.

UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify our common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 79 years.

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Hymn to the 51³Ô¹Ï

Get inspired by this revived W.H. Auden¡¯s Hymn to the 51³Ô¹Ï. "Let music for peace Be the paradigm, For peace means to change At the right time, As the World-Clock, Goes Tick and Tock. So may the story Of our human city Presently move Like music, when Begotten notes New notes beget, Making the flowing Of time a growing".

How it all started

In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the 51³Ô¹Ï Conference on International Organization to draw up the 51³Ô¹Ï Charter. The 51³Ô¹Ï officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by a majority of signatories. Watch history in the making with this footage from the UN archives !

 

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the 51³Ô¹Ï, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.