'One of the great moments of history.' (signing of United Nations Charter)

• Author: Fruchtbaum, Harold

Minutes before 11 p.m. on Monday, 25 June 1945, Great Britain's Lord Halifax, presiding over the ninth and penultimate plenary session of the United Nations Conference an International Organization (UNCIO), stepped to the podium on the stage of San Francisco's Opera House, and called for the final vote on a historic document--the Charter of the United Nations. In the orchestra rows before him sat delegations from the 50 participating nations. Guests, conference staff, the press and the public filled the remaining seats and crowded the balconies. Lord Halifax asked delegation heads to rise in their places "to record their vote on an issue that I think is likely to be as important as any of us in our lifetime are ever likely to vote upon".

He requested those in favour of approving the Charter, including the Statute of the International Court of justice, to stand. The vote was recorded. "Thank you", he said. "Are there any against?" No one rose. "The Charter and the other documents are unanimously approved."

A wave of emotion swept the delegates and the audience as they stood and applauded and cheered, shaking hands and embracing. Lord Halifax said: "I think, ladies and gentlemen, we may all feel that we have taken part, as we may hope, in one of the great moments of history."

The signing of the Charter the next morning and the final plenary session for the concluding addresses in the afternoon would end the nine-week effort in San Francisco.

As UNCIO convened at 4:33 p.m. on Wednesday, 25 April 1945, the Second World War was nearing its end. The war ended in Europe on 8 May, and in Asia on 2 September.

Participants in UNCIO knew that little time remained before the beginning of the postwar era. making imperative an agreement on an effective global system to foster peace and security, as well as economic and social development. Planning had begun in December 1939 as war swept across Europe and Asia. Peace, rapidly approaching, now demanded new decisions and commitments.

Invitations to UNCIO issued in Washington on 5 March 1945 by the United States. United Kingdom, USSR and China suggested that proposals crafted at Dumbarton Oaks be used in San Francisco "to prepare a charter for a general international organization for the maintenance of international peace and security".

Comments and amendments to the proposals were invited in advance. These filled nearly 700 pages of Conference documents with substantial amendments and additions, subtle word...