As a symbol of their impartiality, the United Nations decided to place their headquarters in the famously neutral Switzerland, but the Swiss themselves took a long time to officially join the organisation themselves. Since 1948, the country voluntarily remained on the outside as an “observer”, choosing the engage with the international body on peacekeeping mission on the border between North and South Korea, and in various African countries. There was still great reluctance to officially join a military alliance, but one that was fading over time.

On this day, September 10, in 2002, following a referendum on UN membership where 55 percent voted in favor, Switzerland joined the organization. The vote was still a narrow win, But a significant change from the results of 1986, and the vast majority voted against membership.

Switzerland feared UN involvement would put an end to their traditional neutrality, and engage Swiss soldiers in foreign wars. Both fears were somewhat allayed in the 1990s when Switzerland voluntarily chose to help the U.N. to mediate armed conflicts in the Balkans and the Korean peninsula, as well as observe the situation in Egypt, Congo and Namibia.