The U.N. celebrates its 70th birthday on United Nations Day this year on Saturday, October 24, 2015 by literally turning hundreds of world landmarks blue.
The UMHS Endeavour takes a look at United Nations Day, the annual event recognizing the United Nations since 1948, and what is planned for the big 7-0, including celebrations from New Zealand to New York City.
UMHS is committed to acknowledging United Nations Day and the UN's ongoing efforts to serve the public health needs of developing nations, something important to students at international medical schools.
FIGHTING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CHILDREN: The UN turns 70 on October 24, 2015. Photo: Courtesy of UN.org
World Landmarks Lit Up Blue to Celebrate United Nations at 70
UN Day marks the anniversary “of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter,” the United Nations (UN) website says.
October 24th has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. However, it was not until 1971 that the UN General Assembly recommended the day be observed by member states as a public holiday. The UMHS Endeavour takes a brief look at what this important day means.
The United Nations announced this week in press materials that an estimated 200 “iconic monuments, buildings, museums, bridges and other landmarks in nearly 60 countries around the world will be lit up blue – the official color of the Organization.” Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Empire State Building in New York City, Table Mountain in South Africa, the Alhambra in Spain and the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are just a sample of the iconic landmarks that will sport blue lights at night.
“This is an initiative led by the UN Department of Public Information and has had tremendous support from governments, cities, mayors, and locally in many countries [from] information centers, to ensure this collaborative public awareness of the UN Day,” Under-Secretary-General for Public Information Cristina Gallach said at a press conference in New York this week.
UN officials are pleased about the planned celebrations.
“I am grateful our Member States are showing such strong enthusiasm in marking 70 years of UN support for peace, development and human rights,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a press release. “By turning the world UN Blue for a day, we can light the way to a better tomorrow.”
Celebrations start off in New Zealand and Australia, where the Sydney Opera House will be lit blue at dusk. After festivities start Down Under, “a wave of UN blue will move across countries and continents as monuments around the world take part in the international event,” a UN press release said.
DELIVERING HUMANITARIAN AID: The UN is committed to fighting hunger worldwide on its 70th birthday. Photo: Courtesy of UN.org
The United Nations Headquarters in New York City will be lit up blue for two consecutive nights, beginning Friday, October 22, 2015. The annual UN Day concert will be held Friday, sponsored by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea. Performances include the Korean Broadcasting System Orchestra, the UN Messenger of Peace Lang Lana, the Harlem Gospel Choir and K-Pop duo Davichi.
An unveiling of an art installation dedicated to United Nations takes place Saturday, October 23, 2015 in New York’s Central Park. Enlightened Universe, created by Spanish artist Cristóbal Gabarrón, has “70 life-size figures – representing the 70 years of the Organization – joined hand in hand around a huge globe.” The figures will represent “a human chain of global citizens, joined in solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature and shared responsibility.”
UN Day commemorates “the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter” when the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council were established. The five permanent members of the Security Council are China, France, the Russian Federation, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The United Nations does five major things:
- Maintain International Peace and Security
- Promote Sustainable Development
- Protect Human Rights
- Uphold International Law
- Deliver Humanitarian Aid
For more information, please visit the “UN 70” website.
(Top photo) TURNING WORLD BLUE: The Sustainable Development Goals is projected onto the façades of the UN Secretariat and General Assembly buildings in New York, bringing to life each of the 17 goals, to raise awareness about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Photo: UN Photo/Cia Pak
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Scott is Director of Digital Content & Alumni Communications Liaison at UMHS and editor of the UMHS Endeavour blog. When he's not writing about UMHS students, faculty, events, public health, alumni and UMHS research, he writes and edits Broadway theater reviews for a website he publishes in New York City, StageZine.com.
