Events leading up to formation of the UN

By joel.wakeham

  • The International Telecommunication Union founded

    The International Telecommunication Union was founded in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union.

  • Universal Postal Union established.

    The Universal Postal Union was established in 1874.

  • International Peace Conference in Hague

    In 1899, the International Peace Conference was held in The Hague to elaborate instruments for settling crises peacefully, preventing wars and codifying rules of warfare.

  • Declaration of 'United Nations'

    "Declaration by United Nations" of 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers.

  • UN Charter drawn up

    In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter.

  • UN Charter signed by 51 Member States

    The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the Conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States.

  • UN offically formed

    The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and by a majority of other signatories.