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While the bruises of World War II were still fresh on the cheeks of the world, on 24 October 1945, 51 countries committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security established the first United Nations. Today, membership totals 191 countries to include nearly every nation in the world (UN.org ôHow the UN worksö). The document that formally established the United Nations is called the UN Charter. The Charter was signed on June 26, 1945 and came into effect on October 24 that same year. Perhaps the Preamble of the UN Charter sums its intended purpose best: WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and To establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, To practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and To unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and To ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall no |
