San Francisco, 1945
In the shadow of two devastating world wars, leaders from fifty nations gathered to forge a new path forward—a collective commitment to peace and cooperation.
The United Nations was born, its charter signed in San Francisco, promising to prevent future global conflicts through dialogue, diplomacy, and collective security.
Figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt (posthumously honored), Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin influenced its formation, despite growing tensions among them.
The UN's early years were marked by hope but also by the challenge of navigating emerging Cold War rivalries.
Its agencies tackled humanitarian crises, refugees, and reconstruction, striving to give voice to those silenced by war.
Though fragile and often criticized, the United Nations remains a symbol of humanity's desire for peace in a fractured world.