United Nations Day 2025: UN Marks 80 Years Since Its Founding
Why in the news
The world marks United Nations Day today, and 2025 is special because the organisation completes 80 years.
Key facts
- Date: 24 October, linked to the UN Charter taking effect in 1945.
- 1947: the General Assembly set the day aside to publicise the UN’s aims and achievements.
- 1971: Resolution 2782 made it an international observance and recommended a public holiday.
- Membership: 51 founders in 1945, 193 countries now; India is a founding member.
- Peacekeeping: over 70 missions since 1948.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1945 |
| Founding members | 51 |
| Current members | 193 |
| Peacekeeping Nobel Peace Prize | 1988 |
About the United Nations
The Charter set four broad aims: maintaining international peace and security, building friendly relations among nations, pursuing cooperation on global problems, and acting as a centre for harmonising national actions. The five permanent Security Council members are the US, UK, Russia, China and France. The UN also supported the independence of more than 80 countries, mainly in Asia and Africa.
Exam angle
- Do not confuse UN Day (24 October) with other UN days.
- Remember 51 to 193 members.
- Peacekeepers won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.