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 United Nations Day was established by Presidential Proclamation（總統(tǒng)令） to commemorate the
establishment of the United Nations in 1945.
It is celebrated very generally in all states and American possessions,
and by all eighty-one countries, which are members of the United Nations
for the purpose of informing the people of the world as to the aims,
purposes, and achievements of the UN.
The name "United Nations" was devised by United States President
Franklin D. Roosevelt and was first used in the "Declaration by United
Nations" of January 1, 1942, during the Second World War, when
representatives of 26 nations pledged their governments to continue
fighting together against the Axis Powers（軸心國）.
The representatives of 50 countries at the United Nations Conference
drew up the United Nations Charter（聯合國憲章） on
International Organization, which met at San Francisco from April 25 to
June 26, 1945. Those delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals
worked out by the representatives of China, the Soviet Union, and United
Kingdom in the United States at Dumbarton
Oaks（敦巴頓橡樹園，在美國首都華盛頓效區(qū)） from August to October of 1944. The
representatives of the 50 countries signed the Charter on June 26, 1945.
Poland, which was not represented at the Conference, signed it later and
became one the original 51 Member States.
The United Nations officially came into existence on October 24, 1945,
when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, The Soviet Union, the
United Kingdom, United States and by a majority of other signatories.
United Nations Day is celebrated on October 24 each year.
In order to stress the charter's importance, in 1947 the General
Assembly of the U.N. passed a resolution that October 24 shall hereafter（從此以后） be officially called United Nations
Day, and shall be devoted to making known to the people of the world the
aims and achievements of the United Nations, and to gaining their support
for the work of the United Nations.
It was apparent, and also quite
important, that the general public should be informed about the content
and purposes of the United Nations; therefore an entire week-United
Nations Week-was set aside in October, with its chief observance（慶祝） on United Nations Day, October
24.
By 1956, the American committee for the United Nations promoted the
celebration of United Nations week. The official American Association for
the United Nations sent out information and suggestions for programs with
this advice: This is United Nations Week. The success of the United
Nations in building world peace depends on all of us-on our won
understanding and support; know how it works, and what it is doing. Help
the United Nations help all of us to a peaceful future.
In some towns there is a public rally（集會）,
perhaps at the City Hall, with the Stars and Stripes displayed with the
flag of the United Nations. Speakers stress the accomplishments of the
organization. Some shop windows feature products and dress of other lands.
A town may put on an "International Festival" with songs and dances.
During the week there are forums and panel discussions. An enjoy blending
for United Nations Day is a banquet with foreign dishes.
An
important part of the week's observance is the setting up of information
centers, where literature on the work of the United Nations may be
obtained.
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