November 19 In Swedish History
1946: Sweden enters the United Nations as a member. The UN is an at the time new international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace.

The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue. It contains multiple subsidiary organizations to carry out its missions. Sweden remained neutral in both world wars; during World War II, however, Sweden had a difficult time maintaining neutrality as her Nordic neighbors were drawn into the conflict. Sweden served as a haven for refugees from the Nazis, allowed the Danish resistance movement to operate on its soil, and sent volunteers to assist Finland's fight against the Russians. On the other hand, Sweden was compelled to comply with German demands to transport its troops through Sweden to and from Nazi-occupied Norway. After the war, Sweden did not join NATO, as did its Scandinavian neighbors Norway and Denmark, but it did become a member of the UN in 1946 and participated in some of the European Recovery Program benefits.

The second Secretary-General of the United Nations was a Swede: Dag Hammarskjöld (1905-1961), who served from 1953 until his death in a plane crash in September 1961.

The Swedish diplomat, Ambassador Jan Eliasson has been Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations since July 1 2012.