United Nations Chronology

The League of Nations admits the Soviet Union.

Ref: 2

Nov 27

Federico Mayor Zaragoza Barcelona, Spain, UNESCO director (1987- ), is born.

Ref: 5

1935

Jan 27

The League of Nations majority favors depriving Japan of mandates.

Ref: 2

1937

Italy withdraws from the League of Nations.

Ref: 70

1939

Apr 11

Hungary leaves League of Nations.

Ref: 5

The Soviet Union is expelled from the League of Nations.

Ref: 36

1940

Aug 31

Joseph Avenol steps down as Secretary-General of the League of Nations.

Ref: 2

1942

The name "United Nations" is devised by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was first used in the "Declaration by United Nations" when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers.

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1944

Aug 21

The Dumbarton Oaks conference, which lays the foundation for the establishment of the United Nations, is held in Washington, D.C.

Ref: 2

1945

France was admitted to the United Nations.

Ref: 70

Feb 12

San Francisco selected for site of United Nations Conference

Ref: 5

Feb 14

Peru, Paraguay, Chile and Ecuador joined the United Nations.

Ref: 70

Mar 31

The United States and Britain bar a Soviet supported provisional regime in Warsaw from entering the U.N. meeting in San Francisco.

Ref: 2

Apr 25

(through June 26th) The United Nations Charter is drawn up by the representatives of 50 countries at the United Nations Conference on International Organization, which met at San Francisco.

Ref: 44

Jun 26

The United Nations Charter is signed 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.

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Jul 06

Nicaragua becomes first nation to formally accept UN Charter.

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Jul 28

US Senate ratifies UN charter 89-2.

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Aug 08

President Harry S. Truman signed the United Nations Charter.

Ref: 70

Oct 16

UN's Food & Agriculture Organization comes into existence.

Ref: 5

Oct 17

UN's Food & Agriculture Organization comes into existence.

Ref: 5

Oct 24

The United Nations officially comes into existence at the San Francisco Conference when the Charter is ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and others totaling 29 nations.

Ref: 44

Dec 04

The Senate approved U.S. participation in the United Nations.

Ref: 70

Uruguay joins the United Nations.

Ref: 5

Dec 19

Congress confirms Eleanor Roosevelt as U.S. delegate to the United Nations.

Ref: 2

Dec 27

The International Monetary Fund and the Bank for Reconstruction and Development are created.

Ref: 2

Dec 27

The World Bank was created with an agreement signed by 28 nations.

Ref: 70

International Monetary Fund established; World Bank and the Bank for Reconstruction and Development are created with an agreement signed by 28 nations.

Ref: 5

Ratification of UN Charter completed.

Ref: 5

1946

Jan 10

The first General Assembly of the United Nations, comprising fifty-one nations, convenes at Westminster Central Hall in London, England. (XDG, p 4A, 1/10/2001)

Ref: 83

Jan 17

The U.N. Security Council meets for the first time at Westminster Central Hall in London, England, adopting its rules of procedure.

Ref: 3

Jan 24

The UN establishes the International Atomic Energy Commission.

Ref: 2

Feb 01

Norwegian statesman Trygve Lie was chosen to be the first secretary-general of the United Nations.

Ref: 70

Mar 21

The United Nations set up temporary headquarters at Hunter College in New York City.

Ref: 70

Apr 08

The League of Nations assembled in Geneva for the last time.

Ref: 5

Apr 18

League of Nations dissolves (3 months after the UN starts).

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Oct 23

The United Nations General Assembly convened in NY for the first time, at an auditorium in Flushing Meadow.

Ref: 70

Nov 04

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is established.

Ref: 2

Nov 19

First general conference of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation).

Ref: 10

Dec 03

US government asks UN to order dictator Franco out of Spain.

Ref: 5

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. offered up a six-block area of land in New York City for use as world headquarters of the United Nations. The offer was accepted the following day.

Ref: 4

Spain suspended from UN.

Ref: 5

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established.

Ref: 70

Dec 12

A United Nations committee voted to accept a six-block tract of Manhattan real estate offered as a gift by John D. Rockefeller Jr. to be the site of U.N. headquarters.

Ref: 70

The United Nations General Assembly voted to establish the U.N. headquarters in NY City.

Ref: 70

Togo is made a trusteeship territory of the UN.

Ref: 5

The United Nations adopts a disarmament resolution prohibiting the A-Bomb.

Ref: 2

1947

Mar 24

John D Rockefeller Jr donates NYC East River site to the UN.

Ref: 5

Apr 04

UN's International Civil Aviation Organization established.

Ref: 5

Jul 08

Demolition work begins for the new permanent headquarters of the United Nations in New York City. (XDG, p 4A, 7/8/2000)

Jul 18

US receives UN trusteeship over Pacific Islands.

Ref: 5

Nov 01

UN trusteeship for Nauru granted to Australia, NZ & UK.

Ref: 5

Despite strong Arab opposition, the United Nations votes for the partition of Palestine and the creation of an independent Jewish state.

Ref: 3

1948

Apr 07

The World Health Organization established by UN.

Ref: 5

Jun 18

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights adopted its International Declaration of Human Rights.

Ref: 70

Sep 01

UN's World Health Organization forms.

Ref: 5

Sep 14

A groundbreaking ceremony takes place in New York City at the site of the United Nations' world headquarters. (XDG, p 4A, 9/14/2000)

Ref: 83

Ralph J Bunche confirmed as acting UN mediator in Palestine.

Ref: 5

Dec 08

The United Nations approves the recognition of South Korea.

Ref: 2

Dec 09

UN General Assembly unanimously approves Convention on Genocide.

Ref: 5

Dec 10

The U.N. General Assembly adopted its Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Ref: 70

The IDF crosses the Egyptian border.

Ref: 5

1949

Jan 28

UN Security council condemns Dutch aggression in Indonesia.

Ref: 5

Mar 04

Security Council of UN recommends membership for Israel.

Ref: 5

Apr 09

UN International Court of Justice held Albania responsible for incidents in Corfu Channel & awards Britain damages.

Ref: 5

May 11

By a vote of 37-12, Israel becomes 59th member of UN.

Ref: 5

Dec 09

The United Nations takes trusteeship over Jerusalem.

Ref: 2

1950

Mar 23

UN World Meteorological Organization established.

Ref: 5

Aug 21

The United Nations moved into its new permanent facilities in NY City -- on land donated by the Rockefeller family.

Ref: 4

UN General Assembly establishes High Commissioner for Refugees (Nobel 1954).

Ref: 5

1951

Feb 16

Stalin contends the U.N. is becoming the weapon of aggressive war.

Ref: 2

May 18

The United Nations moves out of its temporary headquarters in Lake Success, NY, for its permanent home in Manhattan.

Ref: 70

Oct 24

United Nations publishes its first postage stamps.

Ref: 5

Dec 15

Eric Drummond first Secretary-General League of Nations (1919-33), dies at 75.

Ref: 5

1952

Feb 04

First meeting of U.N. disarmament commission.

Ref: 17

Sep 15

UN turns over Eritrea to Ethiopia.

Ref: 5

1953

Feb 04

Alexander Loudon Dutch diplomat (League of Nations), dies at 60.

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Mar 31

UN Security Council nominates Dag Hammarskjöld Secretary-General.

Ref: 5

Apr 07

The UN General Assembly elected Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden to be secretary-general.

Ref: 5

Apr 10

Trygve Lie of Norway's term of office as the first Secretary General of the United Nations ends and Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden takes office as the second Secretary General of the United Nations.. (Ref

Sir Benegal Narsing Rau, Indian jurist, president of UN Security Council (1950), dies at age 66.

Ref: 70

1954

Apr 22

USSR joins UNESCO.

Ref: 5

Aug 19

Ralph J Bunche named undersecretary of UN.

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1955

Apr 09

United Nations Charter hearing

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1956

Jul 25

Jordanians attack UN Palestine truce

Ref: 5

Aug 26

Swedish Christian statesman Dag Hammarskjald recorded in his devotional journal (Markings): 'Bless your uneasiness as a sign that there is still life in you.'.

Ref: 5

Nov 02

Hungary appeals for UN assistance against a Soviet invasion.

Ref: 5

Nov 08

UN demands USSR leave Hungary.

Ref: 5

Dec 12

The United Nations calls for immediate Soviet withdrawal from Hungary.

Ref: 2

Japan was admitted to the United Nations.

Ref: 70

1957

Feb 02

UN adopts a resolution calling for Israeli troops to leave Egypt.

Ref: 5

May 20

Gilbert Murray, Australian-born scholar, chairman of the League of Nations, (1923-1928), dies.

Ref: 5

Sep 14

UN resolution deplores & condemns USSR invasion of Hungary.

Ref: 5

Sep 26

Dag Hammarskjold re-elected secretary-general of the UN.

Ref: 5

1959

Nov 20

The United Nations issued its "Declaration of the Rights of the Child."

Ref: 5

Dec 12

UN Committee on Peaceful Use of Outer Space is established.

Ref: 5

1960

May 26

The US Ambassador to the UN, Henry Cabot Lodge accues the Soviets of hiding a microphone inside a wood carving of the Great Seal of the United States that had been presented to the US Embassy in Moscow. (XDG, p 4A, 5/26/2000)

Ref: 83

Two thousand cheer Castro's arrival in NY for the United Nations session.

Ref: 2

Sep 19

Cuban leader Fidel Castro, in New York to visit the United Nations, angrily checks out of the Shelbourne Hotel in a dispute with management. (XDG, p. 4A, 9/19/2000)

Ref: 83

UN General Assembly admits 13 African countries & Cyprus (96 nations).

Ref: 5

Sep 24

Internationl Development Assn (UN agency) comes into existence.

Ref: 5

Sep 26

Longest speech in UN history (4 hrs, 29 mins, by Fidel Castro).

Ref: 5

Sep 30

Fifteen African nations are admitted to the United Nations.

Ref: 2

Oct 12

At the United Nations, Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschev went ballistic, taking off his shoe and pounding it on his desk! The UN Assembly President, Frederick Boland, was so irritated that he split his gavel trying to reestablish order.

Ref: 4

General Meeting of United Nations condemns apartheid.

Ref: 5

1961

Jan 12

UN genocide pact goes into effect.

Ref: 5

Apr 13

The U.N. General Assembly condemns South Africa because of apartheid.

Ref: 2

Apr 14

The U.N. General Assembly condemns South Africa because of apartheid.

Ref: 2

Sep 08

Secretary General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden is killed in a plan crash. (Ref

Sep 27

Sierre Leone becomes the 100th member of the UN.

Ref: 5

Oct 27

Outer Mongolia & Mauritania become the 102nd & 103rd members of UN.

Ref: 5

Nov 03

U Thant of Burma takes office as the acting Secretary General of the United Nations. (Ref

Nov 24

The United Nations adopts bans on nuclear arms over American protests. The United Nations adopts bans on nuclear arms over American protests.

Ref: 2

Nov 30

The Soviet Union vetoes a UN seat for Kuwait, pleasing Iraq.

Ref: 2

Dec 04

Tanganyika becomes the 104th member of the UN.

Ref: 5

1962

Jan 30

UN General Assembly censures Portugal (because of Angola).

Ref: 5

Sep 01

The United Nations announces Earth population has hit 3 billion.

Ref: 5

Rwanda, Burundi, Jamaica & Trinidad admitted (105th-108th) to the UN.

Ref: 5

Oct 08

Algeria admitted as 109th member of the UN.

Ref: 5

Oct 25

In one of the most dramatic verbal confrontations of the Cold War, US ambassador to the UN Adlai E. Stevenson presents photographic evidence of Soviet missile bases in Cuba to the UN Security Council. Stevenson demands USSR Ambassador Zorin answer regarding Cuban missile bases saying "I am prepared to wait for my answer until hell freezes over".

Ref: 70

Oct 25

110th member of the UN admitted (Uganda).

Ref: 5

Nov 30

U Thant of Burma is unanimously appointed secretary-general of the United Nations by the General Assembly, after serving nearly thirteen months as acting secretary-general following the death of Dag Hammarskjold in an air crash.

Ref: 3

UN troops occupy Elizabethstad Katanga.

Ref: 5

1963

May 14

Kuwait is 111th member of the United Nations.

Ref: 5

1964

Mar 23

UNCTAD 1 world conference opens in Geneva.

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Mar 27

UN troops arrive on Cyprus

Ref: 5

May 12

Manlio Brosio chosen as secretary-general of NATO.

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Indonesia proclaims expelled from the UN.

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1966

Dec 30

Trygve Halvdan Lie first UN Secretary-General (1946-53), dies at 72.

Ref: 5

1967

Nov 22

The U.N. Security Council approved Resolution 242, which called for Israel to withdraw from territories it captured in 1967, and implicitly called on adversaries to recognize Israel's right to exist.

Ref: 70

Nov 27

Lyndon Johnson appoints Robert McNamara to presidency of the World Bank.

Ref: 2

Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara announced he was leaving the Johnson administration to become president of the World Bank. (XDG, p 4A, 11/29/2002)

Ref: 83

1968

Feb 09

Frederik M baron van Asbeck lawyer (League of Nations), dies at 78.

Ref: 5

May 29

UN resolves sanctions on white-minority-ruled Rhodesia.

Ref: 5

1970

Feb 15

Nationalists disrupt UN session on Congo.

Ref: 5

Mar 17

The United States cast its first veto in the UN Security Council. (The US killed a resolution that would have condemned Britain for failure to use force to overthrow the white-ruled government of Rhodesia.)

Ref: 5

1971

Oct 25

UN General Assembly admits Mainland China & expels Taiwan. By Resolution 2758 (XXVI), the General Assembly decided "to restore all its rights to the People's Republic of China". (Ref

Oct 26

UN votes to replace Taiwan with China.

Ref: 5

Nov 23

China People's Republic is seated in the UN Security Council.

Ref: 5

Dec 21

The UN Security Council chose Kurt Waldheim to succeed U Thant as Secretary-General.

Ref: 5

Dec 22

The United Nations General Assembly voted to ratify the election of Kurt Waldheim to be Secretary-General.

Ref: 70

U Thant of Burma's term of office as the third Secretary General of the United Nations ends. (Ref

1972

Kurt Waldheim of Austria formally takes office as the fourth Secretary General of the United Nations. (Ref

Jun 05

UN Conference on the Human Environment opens in Stockholm.

Ref: 5

1973

Oct 22

Security Council Resolution 338-cease fire to the Yom Kippur War.

Ref: 5

Oct 23

UN's revised International Telecommunication Convention adopted.

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1974

Oct 14

United Nations recognizes Palestine Liberation Organization.

Ref: 10

Nov 25

United Nations Secretary-General from 1961-1971 U Thant dies in NY of cancer at age 65.

Ref: 4

1975

Aug 11

US vetoes proposed admission of North & South Vietnam to UN.

Ref: 5

Nov 10

The UN General Assembly approves a resolution equating Zionism with racism (however, the world body repealed the resolution in December 1991).

Ref: 5

Nov 10

PLO leader Yasser Arafat addresses UN in NYC.

Ref: 5

1976

Jan 12

UN Security Council votes 11-1 to seat Palestine Liberation Organization.

Ref: 5

Jul 09

Uganda asks UN to condemn Israeli hostage rescue raid on Entebbe.

Ref: 5

Nov 09

The UN General Assembly approves ten resolutions condemning apartheid in South Africa, including one characterizing the white-ruled government as "illegitimate."

Ref: 5

Dec 01

Angola admitted to UN.

Ref: 5

Dec 07

UN Security Council endorses Kurt Waldheim, Secretary-General for 2nd 5 year term.

Ref: 5

Dec 08

UN General Assembly re-elects Kurt Waldheim Secretary-General.

Ref: 5

Dec 16

President Jimmy Carter appoints Andrew Young as Ambassador to the United Nations.

Ref: 2

Dec 21

UN General Assembly passes a resolution declaring 1979-Year of Child.

Ref: 5

1977

Jul 18

United Nations admits Vietnam

Ref: 62

1978

Jun 28

UNICEF chooses rock group Kansas as ambassadors of goodwill.

Ref: 5

UN observes "international day of solidarity with the Palestinian people," boycotted by US & about 20 other countries.

Ref: 5

1979

Aug 15

Andrew Young resigns as UN ambassador.

Ref: 5

Aug 23

UN's Vienna office opens.

Ref: 5

Aug 31

Donald McHenry named to succeed Andrew Young as UN ambassador.

Ref: 5

1980

Jan 14

The United Nations votes 104-18 to deplore the Soviet aggression in Afghanistan.

Ref: 2

Aug 20

UN Security Council condemns (14-0, US abstains) Israeli declaration that all of Jersualem is its capital.

Ref: 5

Sep 28

The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopts a resolution the Iraq and Iran should cease hostilities

Ref: 62

1981

The U.N. Security Council chose Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru to be the fifth secretary-general of the world body.

Ref: 70

Kurt Waldheim of Austria's term of office as the fourth Secretary General of the United Nations ends. (Ref

1982

Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru formally takes office as the fifth Secretary General of the United Nations. (Ref

Apr 03

UN Security Council demands Argentina's withdrawal from Falkland Islands.

Ref: 5

Jun 26

US vetos UN Security Council resolution for a limited withdrawal from Beirut of Israeli & Palestine Liberation Organization forces

Ref: 5

Oct 16

Shultz warns US will withdraw from UN if they vote to exclude Israel.

Ref: 5

1983

Sep 12

USSR vetoes UN Security Council resolution deploring its shooting down of Korean plane.

Ref: 5

US says they will leave UNESCO on Dec 31, 1984.

Ref: 5

Dec 29

US announces withdrawal from UNESCO.

Ref: 5

1984

US leaves UNESCO.

Ref: 5

1985

UN Security Council unanimously condemns "acts of hostage-taking".

Ref: 5

1986

May 23

US & West Europeans veto heavier sanctions against South Africa.

Ref: 5

1987

Mar 25

Henry R LaBouisse headed UNICEF (1965-79), dies at 83.

Ref: 5

Charles Malik Lebanon's first delegate to the UN, dies at 81.

Ref: 5

1988

Aug 08

U.N. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar announced a cease-fire between Iran and Iraq.

Ref: 70

Aug 10

UN estimates Asia's population hit 3 billion

Ref: 5

Nov 30

UN General Assembly (151-2) censures US for refusing PLO's Arafat visa.

Ref: 5

Dec 02

UN votes 151-2 (Israel & US) to move PLO debate to Geneva, Britain abstains.

Ref: 5

PLO chairman Yasser Arafat addressed the U.N. General Assembly in Geneva, where it had reconvened after the United States refused to grant Arafat a visa to visit NY.

Ref: 70

1990

Jan 14

UN Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar says he has lost all hope for peace in the Gulf.

Ref: 5

Jun 11

UN appoints Olivia Newton-John environmental ambassador

Ref: 5

Aug 06

UN Security Council votes 13-0 (2 abstentions Cuba & Yemen) to place economic sanctions against Iraq

Ref: 5

Sep 27

Deposed emir of Kuwait address the UN General Assembly.

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1991

Apr 06

Iraq reluctantly agreed to accept United Nations conditions for ending the Persian Gulf War.

Ref: 64

May 24

The UN Security Council voted unanimously to deplore Israel's deportation of four Palestinians from the occupied territories.

Ref: 6

Aug 07

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council agreed to authorize Iraq to sell as much as $1.6 billion in oil over six months to pay for food, humanitarian supplies and war reparations; however, Baghdad rejected the resolution.

Ref: 6

Aug 15

Marietta Tree (UN Comm of Human Rights), dies at 74

Ref: 5

Aug 30

UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar arrived in Jordan to try to mediate the Persian Gulf crisis. President Bush told a news conference that a "new world order" could emerge from the Gulf crisis.

Ref: 6

Aug 31

UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar met twice with Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz in Amman, Jordan, trying to negotiate a solution to the Persian Gulf crisis.

Ref: 6

Sep 17

North & South Korea join the UN

Ref: 5

U.N. weapons inspectors left Bahrain for Iraq to renew their search for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

Ref: 64

Nov 21

The U.N. Security Council chose Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt to be the new secretary-general.

Ref: 70

Nov 22

Egypt’s Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt for Foreign Affairs, was chosen to be United Nations Secretary-General. Ghali was both the first Arab and the first African to hold the post.

Ref: 4

Nov 26

The U.N. Security Council chose Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt to be the new secretary-general.

Ref: 70

Dec 16

The U.N. General Assembly rescinded its 1975 resolution equating Zionism with racism by a 111-25 vote.

Ref: 70

Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru's term of office as the fifth Secretary General of the United Nations ends. (Ref

1992

Boutros Boutros-Ghaliformally takes office as the sixth Secretary General of the United Nations. (Ref

Jan 06

The United States joined the U.N. Security Council in condemning Israel's planned deportation of 12 Palestinians.

Ref: 64

Mar 15

UN officially embarks on its largest peacekeeping operation.

Ref: 5

Mar 31

The U.N. Security Council voted to ban flights and arms sales to Libya, branding it a terrorist state for shielding six men accused of blowing up Pan Am Flight 103 and a French airliner.

Ref: 70

Apr 14

UN imposed embargo against Libya takes effect.

Ref: 5

May 30

UN votes for sanctions against Serb-led Yugoslavia to halt fighting.

Ref: 5

Dec 03

UN Security Council votes unanimous for US led forces to enter Somalia.

Ref: 5

UN Secretary-General Bourtos Boutros-Ghali is jeered by Bosnians during a visit to Sarajevo. (XDG, p 4A, 12/31/2002)

Ref: 83

Representatives of the government of El Salvador and rebels reached agreement at the United Nations on a peace accord aimed at ending 12 years of civil war.

Ref: 64

1993

Feb 22

The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved creation of an international war crimes tribunal to punish those responsible for atrocities in the former Yugoslavia.

Ref: 70

Mar 14

An independent U.N.-sponsored commission released a report blaming the bulk of atrocities committed during El Salvador's civil war on the country's military.

Ref: 70

Jun 11

UN forces launch a nighttime attack against the forces of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. (XDG, p 4A, 6/11/2003)

Ref: 83

Sep 24

In an address at the United Nations, Nelson Mandela asked the world community to lift sanctions against South Africa, saying huge foreign investments were needed to prevent unrest and build a multiracial democracy. (XDG, p 4A, 9/24/2003)

Ref: 83

1994

Mar 09

The UN Human Rights Commission condemned anti-Semitism, putting the world body on record for the first time as opposing discrimination against Jews. (XDG, p 4A, 3/09/2004)

Ref: 83

Apr 17

The UN Security Council issues a non-binding statement that condemns Serbia's escalating military activities, but makes no threat of force to back its condemnation. (XDG, p 4A, 4/17/2004)

Ref: 83

Sep 05

A U.N.-sponsored population conference opened in Egypt, where Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland lashed out at the Vatican and at Muslim fundamentalists by defending abortion rights and sex education.

1995

Jul 25

A U.N. war crimes tribunal indicted Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, army commander Gen. Ratko Mladic, and 22 other Serbs for war crimes.

Ref: 70

Sep 15

The UN's fourth World Conference on Women adjourns in Beijing after approving a wide-ranging platform running the gamut from promoting inheritance rights to condemning rape in wartime. (XDG, p 4A, 9/15/2000)

Ref: 83

Oct 20

The U.N. asks the U.S. to pay up $1.25 billion in past dues.

Ref: 3

Oct 24

The United Nations celebrated its 50th anniversary. The party (Oct 22-24) was the largest gathering of world leaders ever assembled in NY.

Ref: 4

Dec 10

The first group of US Marines arrive in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo to join NATO soldiers sent to keep the peace in Yugoslavia. (XDG, p 4A, 12/10/2000)

Ref: 83

1996

Jun 20

The Clinton administration announced it would veto the re-election of UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

Ref: 6

Sep 03

Testing Serb will, the United Nations reopened a route to Sarajevo and threatened more air attacks if the rebel stranglehold of the Bosnian capital didn't end.

Ref: 6

Nov 19

The United States vetoed U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's bid for a second term. TWA, 1998)

Ref: 95

A U.N. court sentences a Bosnian Serb army soldier, Drazen Erdemovic, to 10 years in prison for his role in the massacre of 1,200 Muslims. John C. Salvi III, serving a life sentence for fatally shooting two abortion clinic receptionists, hanged himself in his Massachusetts prison cell.

Ref: 70

President Clinton nominated Bill Richardson to be United Nations ambassador. (TWA, 1998)

Ref: 95

The U.N. Security Council chose Kofi Annan of Ghana to become the world body's seventh secretary-general.

Ref: 70

Dec 17

Kofi Atta Annan was named seventh secretary-general of the United Nations by acclamation during ceremony in the General Assembly Hall, attended by representatives of the world organization’s 185 members.

Ref: 4

Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt's term of office as the sixth Secretary General of the United Nations ends. (Ref

1997

Kofi Annan assumed the post of United Nations secretary-general.

Ref: 70

Time Warner vice-chairman Ted Turner pledged one billion dollars for United Nations programs over ten years. The money came from Time Warner shares Turner acquired in the Time Warner-Turner Broadcasting merger.

Ref: 4

1998

Feb 20

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan lands in Baghdad, for peace negotiations.

Ref: 5

May 27

United Nations indicts Slobo Milosevic as a war criminal. (finally jailed on 06/28/01)

Ref: 10

Sep 23

The UN Security Council demands a cease-fire in Kosovo, and threatens further action if fighting continues. (XDG, p 4A, 9/23/2003)

Ref: 83

1999

Mar 01

Some 130 nations agreed to a United Nations Treaty banning land mines which went into effect this day. The U.S., Russia and China did not sign the treaty.

Ref: 4

Apr 29

Yugoslavia files World Court cases against 10 alliance members, including the US, claiming their bombing campaign breeched international law. (XDG, p 4A, 4/29/2004)

Ref: 83

May 27

A U.N. tribunal indicted Slobodan Milosevic for crimes against humanity, holding the Yugoslav president personally responsible for the horrors in Kosovo.

Ref: 70

Aug 25

Richard Holbrooke is sworn in as the new U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

International peacekeepers landed in East Timor.

Ref: 70

Oct 12

World population hits 6 billion, according the the UN Population Fund. Fatima Nevic gave birth to an 8-pound, healthy boy two minutes after midnight in a Sarajevo, Bosnia hospital, who has been declared the symbolic 6 billionth person. The boy has not yet been named.

2000

Jan 14

A U.N. tribunal sentenced five Bosnian Croats to up to 25 years for the 1993 massacre of at least 103 Muslims in a Bosnian village.

Ref: 70

Apr 18

In a defeat for the United States, a United Nations commission in Geneva voted 22-to-18 against censuring China's human rights record.

Ref: 6

Jul 05

The UN Security Council imposed a diamond ban on Sierra Leone's rebels in a bid to strangle their ability to finance a civil war.

Ref: 6

Jul 05

At the United Nations, President Clinton signed an international agreement to ban the forcible recruitment of youths as soldiers in armed conflict, and a companion accord to protect children from being forced into slavery, prostitution and pornography.

Ref: 6

Jul 15

The United Nations launched a successful military operation to help 222 Indian peacekeepers and eleven military observers break out of a rebel stronghold in Sierra Leone.

Ref: 6

A multinational fleet sailed toward East Timor, the vanguard of a U-N-approved force assigned to bring order to the bloodied Indonesian province.

Ref: 2

Heavily armed international peacekeepers landed in East Timor, clearing the way for the rest of a UN-approved force charged with restoring order.

Ref: 2

2001

Feb 22

A U.N. war crimes tribunal convicted three Bosnian Serbs standing trial on charges of rape and torture in the first case of wartime sexual enslavement to go before an international court.

Ref: 70

Feb 26

A U.N. tribunal convicted Bosnian Croat political leader Dario Kordic and military commander Mario Cerkez of war crimes for ordering the systematic murder and persecution of Muslim civilians during the Bosnian war.

Ref: 70

May 03

The US loses its seat on the UN Human Rights Commission for the first time since the commission was formed in 1947.

Ref: 70

Jun 28

Former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic was handed over by Serbia to the U.N. war crimes tribunal.

Ref: 70

Jun 29

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was elected to a second term.

Ref: 70

Nov 23

The U.N. war crimes tribunal said it would try former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic for genocide in Bosnia.

Ref: 70

Dec 20

(Afghan Conflict) The UN Security Council authorizes a multinational force for Afghanistan. (XDG, p 4A, 12/20/2002)

Ref: 83

2002

Mar 03

Voters in Switzerland approved joining the United Nations, abandoning almost 200 years of formal neutrality.

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Mar 12

The U.N. Security Council approved a U.S.-sponsored resolution endorsing a Palestinian state for the first time.

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Apr 29

A year after the loss of a seat it had held for over 50 years, the United States won election to the U.N. Human Rights Commission.

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Sep 10

Switzerland became the 190th member of the United Nations.

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