The day has traditionally been marked throughout the world with meetings, discussions and exhibits about the achievements and goals of the organization.

On October 24, 1945, the United Nations (UN) came into force when the five permanent members of the security council ratified the charter that had been drawn up earlier that year. These members were: France, the Republic of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Since 1948, the event's anniversary has been known as United Nations Day. It is an occasion to highlight, celebrate and reflect on the work of the United Nations and its family of specialized agencies.

The United Nations General Assembly declared this day in 1947 as United Nations Day. It proclaimed that the day shall be devoted in making known to the people of the world the aims and achievements of the United Nations and to gain their support for its work.

In 1971 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution (United Nations Resolution 2782) declaring that United Nations Day shall be an international holiday and recommended that it should be observed as a public holiday by all the UN member states.

It is also part of United Nations Week, which runs from 20 to 26 October.

United Nations Day has traditionally been marked throughout the world with meetings, discussions and exhibits about the achievements and goals of the organization.

Several international schools throughout the world also celebrate the diversity of their student body on United Nations Day.