Source: United Nations (video statements)
In the aftermath of World War II, the search for a permanent UN headquarters became one of the most high-profile decisions of the era – involving world leaders, city officials, and influential figures including US President Harry S. Truman, the Rockefeller family and New York City mayor William O’Dwyer.
Before the iconic Headquarters was built, the UN operated out of a series of temporary locations across New York – including Hunter College (now Lehman College), where the first Security Council meeting took place in March 1946, and Parkway Village in Queens, a pioneering residential community that housed many UN delegates and staff.
Through rare archival footage, historic photography, and expert interviews, this film traces the early years of the UN in New York (1945–1952) and explores the deep political, cultural, and economic ties between the Organization and its host city.
As the UN marks 80 years since its first meetings in New York, this story sheds light on a defining moment in both global diplomacy and the city’s history.
Featuring:
Chris McNickle, New York City historian
Rula Hinedi, Chief of the UN Guided Tours Section
Duane Tananbaum, Emeritus Professor, Lehman College
Archival materials:
The Todd Webb Archive
New York City Municipal Archives
NY State Archives
Indiana University Moving Image Archive
00:00:00 NYC After WWII
00:01:30 Why New York Won the UN Headquarters
00:02:43 The Rockefeller Deal
00:04:23 The UN’s Early Days in New York City
00:05:43 First Security Council Session in NYC
00:06:17 Housing Diplomats in a Segregated City
00:07:54 The UN’s Legacy & New York Today