65th Anniversary of Inaugural UN Meeting in Muir Woods May 19

Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Cost: No charge other than normal Park admission fees

On May 19, 1945, less than three weeks after the death of Adolf Hitler and the fall of Nazi Germany, the delegates to the inaugural meeting of the United Nations drafted and signed the organization's Charter in San Francisco. President Harry S. Truman led the US delegation, since President Franklin D. Roosevelt had died on April 12. As part of the founding of the UN, delegates from 48 countries held a memorial for Roosevelt in Muir Woods' Cathedral Grove. A plaque in his honor remains in the spot today.

Roosevelt had originally wanted the organization to meet at Muir Woods based on a comment by Interior Secretary Harold L. Ickes that a session “might be held among the giant redwoods in Muir Woods. Not only would this focus attention upon the nation’s interest in preserving these mighty trees for posterity, but in such a 'temple of peace' the delegates would gain a perspective and sense of time that could be obtained nowhere better than in such a forest.”

This Wednesday, May 19 is the 65th anniversary of that meeting. We have not gotten clear information on what special events might be happening in the Park, but if nothing else it's a good day to go to Cathedral Grove and appreciate its peaceful mood.

We'll let you know if we learn of any specifics.

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