January 10: The first United Nations General Assembly meets in London with 51 nations represented, in 1946.

               First General Assembly opening, London, January 10^th, 1946.

On January 10, 1946, at 4 pm, the first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly opens in Central Hall Westminster in London.


The United Nations (UN), simplified as the United Nations, is the largest international organization that has existed in human history. Currently has 193 Member States, which have international recognition of their sovereignty. Additionally there are three observer States: Vatican City, Palestine and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The Republic of China (Taiwan) and Kosovo are still regarded as disputed territories.

Westminter Central Hall,  the location of the first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in 1946

The United Nations Charter was signed on June 26, 1945 in San Francisco, USA, when finished the United Nations Conference on International Organization, which entered into force on 24 October following which joined the Statute of the International Court of justice.

Emblem designed by Donal McLaughlin.  Olive branches symbolize peace. The world map depicts the area of concern to the United Nations in achieving its main purpose, peace and security.

The purposes of the UN are to maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace; promote good relations between states based on respect and the principle of equal rights and self-determination of nations; achieve international cooperation in solving international conflicts; be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these purposes.

The flag flying at United Nations Plaza in the Civic Center, San Francisco, California. 

The General Assembly shall adopt its own rules and elect its Chairman for each session. In addition, the General Assembly may establish such subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the performance of their duties.

Article 24 of the Charter provides the Security Council, composed of 15 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members in order to "maintain international peace and security quickly and efficiently."