United Nations Security Council Timeline of Events

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United Nations Security Council

The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action...

Timeline of Events

1960

7.20.1960

Belgium defends its intervention in the Congo to the United Nations Security Council while the government of the Congo appeals to the Soviet Union to send troops to push back the Belgians. The governments of the United States and France and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization warn the Soviets to stay out of the dispute.

1971

11.23.1971

Representatives of the People's Republic of China attend the United Nations, including the United Nations Security Council, for the first time.

12.4.1971

The United Nations Security Council calls an emergency session to consider the deteriorating situation between India and Pakistan.

1980

7.20.1980

The United Nations Security Council votes 14-0 that member states should not recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

1990

8.6.1990

Gulf War: the United Nations Security Council orders a global trade embargo against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

11.29.1990

Gulf War: The United Nations Security Council passes United Nations Security Council Resolution 678, authorizing "use all necessary means to uphold and implement" United Nations Security Council Resolution 660 "to restore international peace and security" if Iraq did not withdraw its forces from Kuwait and free all foreign hostages by January 15, 1991.

1991

11.27.1991

The United Nations Security Council adopts Security Council Resolution 721, leading the way to the establishment of peacekeeping operations in Yugoslavia.

2009

4.5.2009

North Korea launches its controversial Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 rocket. The satellite passed over mainland Japan, which prompted an immediate reaction from the United Nations Security Council, as well as participating states of Six-party talks.