United Nations

1960 4¢ John Foster Dulles
February 25, 1888

Birth of John Foster Dulles

John Foster Dulles was born on February 25, 1888 in Washington, DC. Dulles helped draft the preamble of the United Nations Charter, worked with NATO, helped create SEATO, and was the 52nd US secretary of State.

Read Article
2013 UN World Radio Day New York
February 13, 1946

World Radio Day

World Radio Day was established in 2011 to commemorate the creation of United Nations Radio on February 13, 1946.  The UN created its radio service believing it was important for the people of the world to be “fully informed of its aims and activities.”

Read Article
1962 4¢ Dag Hammarskjold
July 29, 1905

Birth of Dag Hammarskjöld

Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld was born on July 29, 1905, in Jönköping, Sweden.  Serving as Secretary General of the United Nations from 1953 to 1961, he’s still considered one of the greatest diplomats in history.

Read Article
 Item #UN1056-57 – World Radio Day stamps issued by the UN’s New York Office.
February 13, 1946

World Radio Day

World Radio Day was established in 2011 to commemorate the creation of United Nations Radio on February 13, 1946.  

Read Article
 US #1203 – The original non-error stamp issued on this day in 1962. Click the image to order.
October 23, 1962

Dag Hammarskjöld Invert Controversy

On October 23, 1962, the US Post Office Department unknowingly issued an unknown number of inverted Dag Hammarskjöld error stamps.  The fallout from this issue became known as Day’s Folly (after Postmaster General J. Edward Day).

Read Article
 United Nations #UN33-34 were issued for the 10th anniversary of UNESCO.
November 16, 1945

Founding of UNESCO

On November 16, 1945, the UN created the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Read Article
 United Nations #UN1 – The first UN stamp titled
October 24, 1951

UN Issues Its First Stamps

On October 24, 1951, the United Nations issued its first postage stamps.

Read Article
1962 4¢ Dag Hammarskjold, Inverted Mint Plate Block of 4
October 23, 1962

Dag Hammarskjöld Invert Controversy

On October 23, 1962, the U.S. Post Office Department unknowingly issued an unknown number of inverted Dag Hammarskjöld error stamps. The fallout from this issue became known as Day’s Folly (after Postmaster General J. Edward Day).

Read Article
 Item #UN43-44 – 1956 U.N. stamps honoring the WHO.
April 7, 1948

Formation of the World Health Organization 

On April 7, 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) was officially created as a specialized agency of the United Nations.

Read Article

Love history?

Discover events in American history – plus the stamps that make them come alive.

Subscribe to get This Day in History stories straight to your inbox every day!