1945
U.N. Charter signed in June in San Francisco. On October 24, the United Nations is created as Charter comes into force. In 1947, the General Assembly officially designated October 24 as "United Nations Day."
Security Council authorizes U.N. defense of South Korea after North Korean invasion.
First Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly meets on the Suez Canal crisis, establishing the first peace-keeping force, the U.N. Emergency Force (UNEF).
Peacekeepers sent to Cyprus.
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Communist China replaces Taiwan.
World Health Organization announces that smallpox has been eradicated.
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the second time, for its assistance to Asian refugees.
Treaty on ozone layer is signed, the first global environmental agreement.
Security Council condemns Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and imposes sanctions.
El Salvador and rebel forces sign peace accords at U.N. Headquarters, ending 10-year war.
First-ever Security Council Summit, with leaders from all 15 members in attendance, is held in New York leading to the secretary-general's report, "An Agenda for Peace."
1992
The U.N. Conference on Environment and Development, the "Earth Summit," is held in Rio de Janeiro and attended by leaders from more than 100 countries, the largest intergovernmental gathering in history. The summit resulted in Agenda 21, a plan of action for sustainable development.
U.N.-supervised elections held in Cambodia resulting in a new government, and the drafting of a new constitution, ending nearly 15 years of strife in the war-torn country.
United Nations approves first NATO air-strikes in Bosnia.
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