United Nations Day: The United Nations was officially established Oct. 24, 1945.  After World War II, the United Nations formed as international peace-keeping coalition.  Fifty-one countries committed to the United Nations Charter in 1945; there are 193 member states now in the U.N.  The first meetings took place in London.  Construction for the New York City headquarters building began Oct. 24, 1949.

Also on This Day:

1901 First Barrel Ride Down Niagara Falls

More than 3,000 tons of water flow over Niagara Falls every second, and in 1901 a daring woman went along for the ride.  Widowed and in her 60s, seeking fame and fortune, Annie Edson Taylor successfully pulled off the dangerous stunt.  Taylor plunged down Niagara Falls strapped inside a barrel.  Her legacy has inspired many copycat waterfall-jumping stunts.

2002 D.C. Sniper Suspects Arrested

Police surrounded a rest stop in Maryland and took two suspects into custody.  John Allen Muhammad and 17-year-old Lee Boyd Malvo were arrested for a string of sniper attacks that terrorized the Washington D.C., area.

2003 Concorde’s Last Flight

The last supersonic commercial flight for the Concorde jet landed at London’s Heathrow airport.

2005 Hurricane Wilma

Stronger than predicted, Hurricane Wilma knocked down trees and power lines in Florida.

Famous Birthdays:

1947 Kevin Kline

1980 Monica

1981 Tila Tequila

1986 Drake

Jump back to Oct. 23: Day in History.

View more videos from This Day in History: October.