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United NationsEstablished on October 24, 1945, the United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation among nations. Headquartered in New York City, it comprises 193 member states and operates through six principal organs, including the General Assembly and the Security Council.
The UN's foundation was shaped by wartime cooperation. At the 1945 Yalta Conference, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Soviet leader Stalin agreed on key features of a new organization. That same year, representatives from 50 countries met in San Francisco to draft the UN Charter.
Since 1948, over 2 million peacekeepers from 125 countries have served in 71 missions. UN agencies have contributed to the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and to a 52% reduction in the under-five mortality rate since 2000. Critics argue that the veto power held by the five permanent members of the Security Council leads to paralysis in decision-making, hindering timely responses to crises.Explore United Nations
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See a visual record of how Roosevelt helped build the United NationsWhen President Truman appointed Eleanor Roosevelt to the first US delegation to the UN in 1946, her male colleagues assigned her to a minor committee, assuming she would play a minor role. In the end, she became one of the delegation's most effective negotiators—and chaired the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. GooglePresident Harry Truman appointed Roosevelt as one of the first US delegates to the United NationsAfter FDR's death in 1945, Roosevelt joined the delegation to the newly established United Nations. She was the only woman among the General Assembly delegates and was unanimously elected to chair the UN Commission on Human Rights. National ArchivesFederal systems are a minority among the United Nations' 193 membersOf the United Nations' 193 member countries, roughly two dozen use a federal system, dividing power constitutionally between national and subnational governments. This group includes the United States, India, Canada, Germany, and more. The video walks through examples of how these states operate. General KnowledgeThe United Nations was founded in San Francisco in 1945The 1945 San Francisco Conference brought together delegates from 50 nations to draft the United Nations Charter, laying the foundation for the UN. This archival footage from the UN captures the event's atmosphere, showcasing firsthand reactions and the global hope for peace after World War II. United Nations193 nations are members of the United NationsThe UN's Member States web page provides an alphabetical list of all 193 member countries, along with the exact dates they were admitted. Take a look at how the UN has expanded over time and understand each nation's place in the global organization. United NationsThe US has 574 federally recognized tribal nations—each a sovereign governmentTribal governments are sovereign, with authority to pass laws, run courts, and levy taxes on their lands. Unlike cities or counties, they are not created by states—their sovereignty predates the United States itself and is recognized in the Constitution, treaties, and federal law. Native Governance CenterHear Eleanor Roosevelt speak about human rightsOn International Human Rights Day, Roosevelt addressed a TV audience to explain the importance of the Declaration of Human Rights. She discusses her work and plans to spread information about the United Nations' efforts. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and MuseumSee a chart showing which countries produce the most oilThis chart tracks oil production over time starting in 1900. Viewers can see how a nation's oil production levels have changed over the past century. Our World in DataCommunal iftars are now a UNESCO intangible cultural heritageThe tradition of breaking fast together where strangers and families share a table at sundown has been recognized by the United Nations' cultural body as significant. The designation sheds light on iftar's social side, beyond just the food. Goethe InstituteSee how the rivalry between Iran and Israel has remade the Middle EastThis 2025 documentary explores how the relationship between Iran, Israel, and the United States has shaped Middle Eastern geopolitics for decades. The film covers events leading up to and following the 2025 12-day war involving these nations. Frontline PBSThe Non‑Proliferation Treaty was designed to prevent new states from developing nuclear bombsThe Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (created in 1968, effective 1970) binds non-nuclear states to forgo nuclear weapons and commits nuclear powers to share peaceful technology and pursue disarmament—forming the core of the global non-proliferation regime. United Nations Office for Disarmament AffairsUkraine has received over $300B in Western military and financial aidAlthough not a member of NATO, Ukraine has received substantial support from Western nations, primarily the United States and the European Union, totaling more than $300B in military, financial, and humanitarian assistance. Kiel InstitutMoney laundering is a three-step process: placement, layering, and integration"Placement" occurs when dirty money is introduced into the financial system. Then "layering" happens when the money is moved around to disguise where it actually came from. Finally, the money is placed in other assets or investments in a step called integration. United Nations Hamilton created the First Bank of the United StatesAs Treasury secretary, Alexander Hamilton proposed the First Bank of the United States to stabilize national finances—serving as the government's fiscal agent, managing debt, and expanding credit through a public-private banking model. InvestopediaCongress descended into fistfights, duels, and violence before the Civil WarIn the decades before the Civil War, members of the United States Congress carried weapons, assaulted colleagues, and, in one case, a congressman killed another in a duel. The violence was driven largely by sectional conflict over slavery and foreshadowed the nation's descent into war. HISTORYMany religions have core majorities in certain countriesThough most religions have members across the world, they also have major concentrated populations in specific nations. For example, 95% of Hindus live in India, while 85% of the world's Jews live in Israel and the US. Pew Research CenterBefore World War II, the US was a Pacific powerDecades before Pearl Harbor, the US held major Pacific territories—Hawaii, the Philippines, Guam, American Samoa, and numerous island bases—giving it strategic reach across the western Pacific. This presence increasingly overlapped with Japan’s imperial ambitions in the region, contributing to rising tensions. National Park ServiceThe Office of Water protects the nation's rivers, lakes and drinking suppliesThe office develops national standards for safe drinking water, regulates wastewater treatment, and enforces the Clean Water Act. It partners with states and tribes to monitor pollution, protect wetlands, and restore aquatic ecosystems across the United States. EPAThe Erie Canal transformed New York City into America’s banking capitalBy redirecting western trade through New York Harbor, the canal turned New York into the nation’s commercial hub. This surge in commerce shifted financial power from Philadelphia to Wall Street, establishing the city as America’s banking capital. Encyclopedia of Greater PhiladelphiaHow the US took half of MexicoIn just two years, the United States redrew the map of North America. Sparked by border disputes in Texas and fueled by President James Polk’s drive for expansion, the Mexican–American War (1846–1848) reshaped both nations.
1440Cold War rivalries fueled fierce competition in international sportsFrom Olympic medal counts to hockey showdowns, the US and USSR used sports to showcase ideological superiority. Athletic victories were framed as proof that each system—capitalist or communist—produced stronger, more disciplined citizens. Wilson CenterSee South Korea's nighttime light usage, far surpassing North Korea'sYou can tell a lot about a place by looking at satellite imagery of the earth at night. Economists use such images to study poverty and inequality, especially about secretive countries where it can be difficult to get information any other way. An image from NASA’s Earth Observatory shows the difference in electrification between North and South Korea (and the lights illuminating the DMZ are visible from space). NASAExperts suggest where the UN should be reformedIn 2020, as the United Nations marked its 75th anniversary, the Council on Foreign Relations' Council of Councils published a collection of expert essays proposing reforms to enhance the UN's relevance. This collection of essays is a thought-provoking look at the UN’s future. Council of CouncilsAssessing the effectiveness of peacekeeping forcesThis podcast episode of Diplomatic Immunity from Georgetown’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy explores the evolution of UN peacekeeping over its 70-year history. The podcast is joined by Dr. Lise Howard to examine the origins, challenges, and shifting role of peacekeepers—those “blue helmets” deployed where few others will go—in a broader conversation about multilateralism and global conflict response. Diplomatic Immunity PodcastThe formation of the UN elevated the US on the world stage This podcast episode of To the Best of My Ability from the National WWII Museum goes behind the scenes of the United Nations’ founding from the American perspective. It explores how FDR’s vision for global peace took shape, how Truman carried it forward, and how Eleanor Roosevelt helped define human rights—set against the backdrop of wartime diplomacy, Cold War tensions, and the San Francisco Charter conference. The National WWII Museum | New OrleansUNICEF collects donations for children at HalloweenFor generations, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has been one of the main ways American children are introduced to the work of the United Nations. The Halloween campaign encourages them to collect donations for children in need—instead of just candy. PBS NewsHourHow Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill shaped the post-war world The Yalta Conference was a pivotal 1945 meeting between Allied leaders that helped shape the postwar global order and laid the groundwork for the founding of the United Nations. American History TV C-SPANA look behind the scenes of the UN General AssemblyThis behind-the-scenes look at the 2015 UN General Assembly offers a unique perspective on what it takes to run one of the world’s most complicated and important diplomatic events. Following four staffers—including a youth advocate and an interpreter—the video captures the energy, pressure, and coordination behind the scenes. United NationsA majority in surveyed countries approve of the UNA 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that a median of 58% across 35 countries viewed the UN favorably, while 31% held unfavorable views. Notably, younger adults tended to view the UN more positively than older generations. The report offers a detailed, country-by-country analysis of global perceptions of the UN. Pew Research CenterThe five permanent Security Council members can veto resolutionsThe UN Security Council veto is a power held by its five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US—allowing any one of them to block resolutions, regardless of international consensus. It has been used over 300 times since the UN’s founding. Better World CampaignUnder-five child mortality has been cut in half since 2000, UNICEF reportsUNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, works globally to protect children's rights and well-being. Its 2024 report on child mortality reveals that under-five deaths have halved since 2000. The report includes interactive data visualizations that can be sorted by year or topic. UNICEF DATAThe UN in NYC is an international zone belonging to all member-statesThe four primary buildings are located on an 18-acre site on the East Side of Manhattan. The complex has its own postal administration, fire department, and security forces. ArchitectuulEleven architects collaborated to create the UN building in NYCRenowned leaders in the field, accustomed to control over their projects, had to work together to complete the building. This quick article explores the tensions and cooperation of the architects to complete the UN building. ArchDailyThere are six primary governing bodies at the UNThe United Nations is structured around six main bodies: the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. Each plays a distinct role in promoting peace, justice, and cooperation worldwide. United NationsThe 1941 Atlantic Charter was a WWII alliance and model for the UNThe Atlantic Charter was a pivotal 1941 agreement between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, outlining shared goals for a post-WWII world rooted in freedom and self-determination. These ideals later inspired the founding principles of the United Nations. Norman Rockwell MuseumThe League of Nations was the predecessor to the UN—and the US never joinedThe League of Nations was the first global organization aimed at maintaining world peace, established in 1920 after World War I. Although US President Woodrow Wilson championed its creation, the United States never joined. US State DepartmentThe UN's primary goal is to promote peace and cooperationThe UN's self-proclaimed mission is to promote peace, protect human rights, and tackle global challenges like poverty and climate change. The About Us page on the UN's website is a good entry point to understand how this international organization works and its impact in today's world. United NationsAfter public schools were integrated, segregation found a home in private schools The 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling banned segregation in public schools, but it didn’t eliminate the problem: Many white families moved to “segregation academies,” which were private schools founded to skirt the new law Southern Education FoundationNiagara Falls was a key Underground Railroad crossing pointIn the mid-1800s, the Suspension Bridge near Niagara Falls connected the US to Canada and served as a frequent crossing location for people escaping slavery via the Underground Railroad. United NationsThe world rapidly decolonized after World War II After WWII, weakened European powers faced mounting resistance from colonized peoples. Between 1945 and 1980, dozens of nations across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East gained independence. CFR Education from the Council on Foreign RelationsEight Frank Lloyd Wright works have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage SitesThe United Nations recognized numerous Frank Lloyd Wright buildings as World Heritage Sites. The US as a whole hosts just 26. Each Wright property demonstrates its unique style, from the Prairie style Frederick C. Robie House to the organic architecture masterpiece Fallingwater. UNESCOView the 55 ECVs used to describe Earth's atmospheric conditionsEssential climate variables include physical, chemical, and biological variables that meaningfully contribute to Earth's climate and how it changes with time. Many of these variables influence one another through feedback mechanisms across Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and geosphere. World Meteorological OrganizationA UN-led treaty may establish rules to phase out plastic globallyWith support from more than 175 nations, a treaty led by the United Nations is being negotiated to establish enforceable global rules for plastic production and pollution by 2025. Negotiations come as the total amount of plastic in the ocean has increased by 50% from 2017 to 2022. World Wildlife FundVoyager mission's Golden Record captures Earth’s essence for alien discoveryHoused aboard Voyager 1 and 2, each record serves as a time capsule of human culture and a peaceful introduction to any intelligent life. Even if never played, the records can outlast humanity and travel through space for a billion years. United NationsSpacecraft remnants and human waste left behind on the moon add to the trash in spaceAs more countries reach the moon with successful probe landings and unsuccessful crashes, more materials are left behind, adding to the amount of trash that needs to be retrieved. A United Nations treaty declared the moon a common heritage of humanity, exempting any one country from exclusive responsibility for cleanup. PBS NewsThe first recorded worker strike in the United States happened in 1768That year, journeymen tailors went on strike to protest a wage reduction. By 1794, cobblers in Philadelphia formed the nation’s first trade union, the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers. But that’s just the beginning of labor union history in the US. InvestopediaFour global trends in shifting demographicsThis UN summary outlines four global trends in shifting demographics. The world’s population is expected to peak by the end of the century as fertility rates continue to decline. Between now and 2050, the global population is projected to become... United NationsThe UN’s interactive site analyzing the world’s populationThe 2022 revision of World Population Prospects contains the official population estimates and projections from the United Nations. It presents population estimates from 1950 to present for 237 countries or areas around the world. The data consider... United NationsThe Kármán line is a suggested boundary between Earth and outer spaceBeyond this line, approximately 100 kilometers above Earth's surface, aerodynamic lift is insufficient to keep aircraft aloft without special propulsion systems. The United Nations has historically accepted the line as delineating the boundary of space. Astronomy magazineThe global plastic crisis in imagesFor decades we have relied on plastics to keep us safe, insulate our homes, and make sure our food stays fresh. But when does plastic’s life come to an end? United Nations
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