First United Nations Security Council session held in London 70 years ago this hour (Jan 17 1946)


Video: 'UN Security Council (1946)'

(Thursday, January 17, 1946, 3:10 p.m. GMT) — The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), charged with the maintenance of international peace and security as well as accepting new members to the United Nations and approving any changes to its United Nations Charter, held its first session today at Church House, Westminster, in London, England.

Convening around the horseshoe-shaped table were representatives from the five permanent members (the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, France and China), each of whom have veto power, and the first six non-permanent members, whose membership would change from year to year.

The first rotating spots were occupied by Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, the Netherlands and Poland.