Monday, June 28, 2010

65th Anniversary of the United Nations







65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS
On 28 June 2010, the United Nations Postal Administration issued three commemorative mini-sheets of 15 stamps and three souvenir sheets on the occasion of the sixty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. 

THE DESIGNS
The stamp design consists of the United Nations emblem with the year 65 on top of the emblem in gold foil. 

ABOUT THE ISSUE
The name “United Nations”, coined by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was first used in the Declaration by United Nations of 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers. 

States first established international organizations to cooperate on specific matters. The International Telecommunication Union was founded in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, and the Universal Postal Union was established in 1874. Both are now United Nations specialized agencies. 

In 1899, the first International Peace Conference was held in The Hague to elaborate instruments for settling crises peacefully, preventing wars and codifying rules of warfare. It adopted the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes and established the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which began work in 1902. 

The forerunner of the United Nations was the League of Nations, an organization conceived in similar circumstances during the First World War, and established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles “to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security”. 
The International Labour Organization was also created under the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League. The League of Nations ceased its activities after failing to prevent the Second World War. 

In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organ-ization to draw up the Charter of the United Nations. Those delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals worked out by the representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States at Dumbarton Oaks, United States, in August-October 1944. The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the Conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States. 

The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and a majority of other signatories. United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October each year. 
As we celebrate this milestone, it is recognized that throughout its 65-year history the United Nations has played an integral part in shaping global events through its humanitarian and peacekeeping activities. 

First Day Cancellations—65TH Anniversary of the United Nations 
On 28 June 2010, special first day hand-cancellations for the stamps commemorating the sixty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations WERE MADE available at United Nations Headquarters in New York; the Palais des Nations, Geneva; and the Vienna International Centre. 

SOUVENIR SHEET SPECIFICATIONS
The souvenir sheets, in the denominations of $1.96, F.s. 3,80 and € 1,50, measure 80 mm horizontally by 80 mm vertically. The two stamps inside the sheets measure 30 mm by 30 mm and are perforated. 

STAMP SPECIFICATIONS
The stamps, in denominations of 98 cents, F.s. 1,90 and € 0,75, measure 30 mm horizontally by 30 mm vertically, perforation to perforation. Perforation size: 13. 

The horizontal mini-sheets of 15 stamps have two marginal inscriptions, one in the top margin and one in the bottom margin. The marginal inscription consists of the United Nations emblem with the text “United” to the left of the emblem and the text “Nations” to the right of the emblem. One copyright symbol with the year 2010 appears in the bottom margin. In the right tab of the stamp is the text of the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations. 

PRINTING
The stamps and souvenir sheets were printed in offset by Lowe-Martin Group (Canada). 

SHEET SIZE
The sheets measure 200 mm horizontally by 170 mm vertically. 

THE DEISGNER
The stamps were designed by Rorie Katz (United Nations). 

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