The United Nations (UN) was created to help keep the peace around the world. The year was 1945. It was the end of the Second World War. Fifty-one countries joined to start the UN. Today, one hundred eighty-nine countries belong to it. Many people in South Dakota wanted the UN to be in the Black Hills. The picture shows a copy of the invitation sent to the leaders of the UN. South Dakotans worked hard to show people in Europe that the state was a clean, safe place to live. The UN did not come to the Black Hills, but something else came. All the advertising for the UN brought many tourists. Tourists still come to the Black Hills because of the advertising done for the UN.

United Nations Invitation
Photo courtesy of South Dakota State Historical Society

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