by Karen Bledsoe

Created on: October 11, 2010

On October 24, 1945, following the end of the second World War, the United Nations officially came into existence. A charter, drafted in April of that year, was ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council. Replacing the League of Nations, which had failed to prevent World War II, the United Nations was formed with the goal of promoting world peace, in the knowledge that with the creation of nuclear weapons, the world could not afford yet another world-wide conflict.

In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 24 as United Nations Day, which was first celebrated in the following year. Since then, United Nations Day has been commemorated around the world by meetings, educational events, discussions, and exhibits. The day recognizes the work done by the United Nations to promote world peace and improve human life around the world.

CELEBRATION AT THE UN HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK

United Nations Day is traditionally celebrated in the General Assembly Hall at UN headquarters in New York. The UN flag is flown on important buildings around these cities. UN officials, including the Secretary General and the President of the General Assembly, deliver addresses aimed at current global issues. Schools and various civic groups may participate in peace marches and other demonstrations, while special sessions involving non-governmental organizations take place throughout the day. In New York, the day traditionally includes and international concert with performances by leading musical artists from around the world. The US President gives and address on United Nations Day to discuss the involvement of the US in important world issues.

WORLDWIDE EVENTS

In addition to the New York celebration, concurrent celebrations take place at UN offices in City, the Hague, Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. Like the New York event, these include musical concerts, peaceful marches, and addresses by important dignitaries.

Many international schools around the world celebrate the day as they celebrate the diversity in their student body. Events often include music and other cultural performances, food fairs, and other inter-cultural sharing.

While United Nations Day is usually an observance rather than a public holiday, the nation of Kosovo has made an exception. There the day is an official non-working holiday, acknowledging the importance of world peace.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

Visit the official United Nations Day website for more information and for ideas on how you, your school, or your club or group can participate. Community organizers can participate by planning and promoting multicultural fairs that allow people from various cultures in the community get to know one another, hear one another's music, and taste one another's food. Schools can participate by holding assemblies about world culture and inviting guest speakers, or students can read about and discuss local or global issues. Clubs and groups can participate through service projects that help improve the community for all who live there. Everyone can write to their representatives and community leaders expressing their desire for peace within their community and around the world.

What will you do on this year's United Nations Day? Everyone, from oldest to youngest, from least to greatest, can find some way to reach out to others for friendship and understanding and to improve the world one small bit at a time.

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