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United Nations charter, signed in San Francisco, turns 70

FILE - In this May 8, 1945, file photo, members of the executive committee of the United Nations conference meet in the Opera House in San Francisco to consider conference procedure. Seventy years ago leaders of 50 war-weary countries gathered in San Francisco to create an international order that would save future generations “from the scourge of war.” With that, the United Nations was created. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - In this May 8, 1945, file photo, members of the executive committee of the United Nations conference meet in the Opera House in San Francisco to consider conference procedure. Seventy years ago leaders of 50 war-weary countries gathered in San Francisco to create an international order that would save future generations “from the scourge of war.” With that, the United Nations was created. (AP Photo/File) FILE - In this May 8, 1945, file photo, members of the executive committee of the United Nations conference meet in the Opera House in San Francisco to consider conference procedure. Seventy years ago leaders of 50 war-weary countries gathered in San Francisco to create an international order that would save future generations “from the scourge of war.” With that, the United Nations was created. (AP Photo/File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Seventy years ago, representatives from 50 war-weary countries gathered in San Francisco to create an international organization aimed at saving future generations from the “scourge of war:” the United Nations.

On Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon travels to its birthplace to commemorate the signing of the U.N. charter.

The U.N., made up of nearly 200 member countries today, has the key goals of safeguarding peace, promoting human rights and delivering humanitarian aid.

Ban is scheduled to give a speech at Stanford University. He joins California Gov. Jerry Brown for remarks at San Francisco City Hall at noon.

He will receive a medal from the Harvey Milk Foundation for the “Free and Equal” U.N. campaign launched in 2013 to battle discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.