This day in history

Delegates from nations around the world sign the United Nations Charter on 26 June, 1945.

Even before celebrations for the end of the Second World War in Europe commenced, delegates from 51 nations began a 63-day conference in San Francisco to establish the United Nations, an organization designed to help ensure future world peace. The United States proposed establishing the world body in 1942 and the groundwork was laid at an Allied conference held in Washington in 1944. In April 1945, the international conference convened in California, culminating in the signing of the Charter. The first meeting of the U.N. General Assembly occurred in London early the next year.
 

Irish journalist Veronica Guerin is murdered 
 

President Bill Clinton orders U.S. warships to fire cruise missiles at Iraqi intelligence headquarters in downtown Baghdad in retaliation for an Iraqi plot to assassinate former U.S. President George Bush. 
 

Addressing the West Germany people U.S. President John F Kennedy famously declares, “Ich bin ein Berliner.”
 

After nearly a month of fighting the Allies defeat German forces at the Battle of Belleau Wood in France. 
 

The first official motor racing grand prix, the French Grand Prix, is run at Le Mans with Hungarian Ferenc Szisz, driving a Renault, the winner with an average speed of 63mph.
 

The June Days Uprising, a revolt by French workers, comes to an end.