In 1849, it took the clipper ship flying cloud 89 days to reach San Franciscos golden gate harbor from new york. In the spring of 1945, no point on earth was more than 40 flying hours away from San Francisco. In those hundred years San Francisco grew larger as the world grew smaller. It developed into a vigorous and Cosmopolitan Center of culture and of industry and shipping for the war in the pacific. And for nine weeks in the spring of 1945 San Francisco was the center for mens hopes for lasting peace. Delegates representing 46 nations came to San Francisco on april 25th, 1945. Representing almost 2,000 Million People more than 80 of humanity. All at war when the conference was begun, they came with hope born of common struggle. They came to design together machinery to end war, a curse which in 30 years had killed 40 million human beings. Maimed countless millions more, both armed and unarmed. When the conference convened, Franklin Roosevelt was missing. The man who helped weld the United Nations together as a fighting team, and who worked to keep them united in the peace to come, had died before he could see his dream come true. But his words were in every mind and heart. 25 years ago american men looked in the face of the world. To furnish peace for which they fought and suffered. Weve failed. Weve failed the men. We cannot fail they will again. And expect the world to survive again. President truman, roosevelts friend and successor, opened the conference by radio from washington. Delegates to the United Nations conference on International Organization, it is not the purpose of this conference to draft a treaty of peace in the old sense of that term. This conference will devote its energy and its labors exclusively to the single problem of setting up the essential organization to keep the peace. You are to write the fundamental charter. As the delegates broke up that first night, the task before them was clear, to chart the course toward realistic International Cooperation to preserve peace. This was the responsibility vested in them by a war weary world. It was for this they had gathered at the invitation of the governments of china, great britain, the ussr and the United States. This was the step made possible by dunkirk and stalingrad and normandy and burma road and midway planned for at casa blanca, cairo, moscow, tehran, dumb barton oaks. Delegates from 46 and later 50 nations were there. But there in spirit too were the victims of warsaw, coventry, shanghai. The hopes of the living and the dead were concentrated in the hands of the representatives meeting at San Francisco. Together they organized the huge problem ahead of them. The discussion and amendment of the proposals prepared at dumbarton oaks. Each nation was represented on all four large commissions set up to work out the general provisions of the United Nations charter and the actual structure of the General AssemblySecurity Council and judicial organization. These committees were divided into smaller working groups, 12 in all. Chinese, english, russian, french and spanish were the standard means of exchange among many languages spoken. And in nine weeks the charter was ready to go before the participating governments for ratification. In the General Assembly of the United Nations organization, each member will have one vote. Any matters within the scope of the charter will be discussed here. Recommendations will be made to the Security Council. The Security Council will have five permanent members and six others elected by the General Assembly for two years. It is to be the enforcement arm of the organization. An International Court of justice in permanent session will decide legal aspects of international disputes. The economic and social council will have 18 members. Elected by the General Assembly. Special agencies like the food and Agriculture Organization will be affiliated with it. The Trusteeship Council for the advancement of territories held in trust will be part of the General Assembly. It will be equally divided between those nations which administer trust territories and those which do not. There will be a secretariat to do the administrative work of the organization. These provisions were not easily arrived at. They were hammered out of debate, stretched and contracted by compromise. The result is a constitution which is at the same time an expression of high ideals and of practical measures. To be effective the charter needs the active cooperation of people everywhere. Same efforts and understanding that went into the writing of the charter will be needed to make it a working instrument. To fulfill the mutual responsibilities of nations as set forth in the charter, to bring about free world trade and the full employment of mans productive resources, men and women of good will everywhere must come to know and understand one another. In this charter humanity has declared its united purpose to work towards those economic goals. The social and Economic Council of the United Nations organization gives the peoples of the world an instrument with which to promote a higher standard of living everywhere. Through their delegates at San Francisco, the member nations pledged to use that instrument. They pledged too to stimulate the exchange of culture among peoples. And in the words of the charter, to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors. At San Francisco 50 United Nations reaffirmed their faith in the dignity and worth of the human person without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. The representatives of 2,000 Million People pledged to promote freedom from fear and freedom of expression. Freedom from want and freedom of worship. The second week of the conference brought the news of germanys surrender, proof of the power of unity against a common enemy. But in their wake the germans left horror and devastation, a specter of fascism and the price of total war which would haunt civilization for decades to come. Strong and effective machinery must guarantee that succeeding generations will be spared such destruction. Therefore at San Francisco the delegates of the United Nations took concrete steps to settle their disputes by peaceful means to prevent threats to the peace, to suppress aggression and pledge to place their armed forces at the disposal of the International Organization. For speedy combined action air forces will be held immediately available. Final responsibility is vested in the powerful Security Council, authorized to work swiftly and effectively with the aid of its military staff committee. This machinery was not designed without disagreement and dispute, but the final blueprint had the unanimous approval of the participating delegates. And it is now my duty, my honor and my privilege in the chair to call for a vote on the approval of the charter of the United Nations including the statute of the international thought and also of the agreement on interim arrangements. If i have your pleasure, may i invite the leaders of delegation who are in favor of the approval of the charter and the statute and the agreement on interim arrangements to rise in their places and be good enough to remain standing while theyre counted. [ applause ] this was a peoples conference responsible to the conscience of the world. Here in the midst of war, the worlds people collaborated in the drafting of a workable international constitution. It was a conference to write a peoples charter opening with the words, we, the people of the United Nations, determine to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind. It was a peoples conference and a soldiers conference. Meeting under the eyes of veterans of two wars and the generation which must suffer if the constitution fails. Common people and their governments alike were aware of the stakes. There were many who doubted that an agreement could ever be reached by these 50 countries differing so much in race and religion and language and culture, but these differences were all forgotten in one unshakable unity of determination to find a way to end wars. [ applause ] this charter points the way, but whether the world is to move in that direction will depend finally upon the vigilance and sovereign will of the peoples of the world. Here are a few of our features programs for the three day holiday weekend. On c span tonight at 8 00. Radio personalities at the annual talkers magazine conference. Saturday at 8 00, an interview with dean vacay. Sunday night at 9 30 eastern. Members of the church committee, Walter Mondale on their Ground Breaking efforts to reform the intelligence community. On c span 2, tonight at 10 00 eastern. Author author martin ford. Saturday night at 10 00 on afterwards a history professor on why the bill of rights was created and the debates it spurred. Sunday live at noon on in depth. Join our conversation with peter schweizer. Hes written over a dozen books including clinton cash. Extortion and throw them all out. And on American History tv today at 6 30 the 70th anniversary of the United Nations with keynote speakers california governor jerry brown, House Minority leader nancy pelosi and un secretary general moon. Saturday night at 8 00. Hear a lecture on the revolutionary war and how things influenced outcomes of battle. Sunday at 4 00 a look back at a film featuring joe brown about a nationwide search for old circus wagons and the efforts to restore them in time for a july 4th parade in milwaukee. Get our complete schedule at cspan cspan. Org. The martin bomber plant outside of omaha produced the b29 bombers. The two planes dropped the atomic bombs on huh roeshema and nag psychoticsake. Today we recently visited many sites. Learn more about omaha had weekend here on American History tv. Were standing in the main waiting room of Union Station here in omaha, nebraska. Its an art deco building built in 1931. It was the second Union Station built by Union Pacific. The architects wanted to make a statement about what the railroad was. In his mind, it was strength masculinity and permanence. Thats what he wanted this building to embody. Omaha started out as a Frontier Town typical frontier time. Citizens from Council Bluff decided they wanted to found the city on this side of the river. Everybody knew there was going to be a Transcontinental Railroad. They didnt know where. They said we have better chance of having the railroad if we have a city on the opposite of the river already established ready to go. And thats where theyll build the railroad. It works. Council bluffs didnt think omaha would get bigger than counsel bluffs. That was the founding city. But cities on the west side of the river tend to develop greater because its easier to move west. Union pacific is one of the premier Railroad Companies of america. It was founded in 1862 with the Pacific Railway act signed into law by abraham lincoln. It combined several Railroad Companies to make Union Pacific and then they were charged with building the Transcontinental Railroad that would connect the east and west coasts. They started here and was moving west. And Central Pacific started on the west coast and was moving east. They met up in utah. And thats really what propels us even further. We become that point of moving west. One of the gateways to the west. Thats what the railroad did for omaha. This facility came about. Its the second Union Station to help the rail travel, all the passengers coming through omaha that the first Union Station had reached capacity. They needed a new modern station. And this was heralded as a step forward for omaha. It was a brandnew art deco building, different style. The first one was neo classical. The art deco style was in vogue in 1931. They decided to raze the old one to the ground build this one and show the nation that omaha had arrives as far as architecture. The height of rail travel was world war ii. 64 trains coming and going. What you would have seen, people coming and going and then dead silence. So they would have these great times of activity and people running and back and forth. And then just dead calm and then it would pick back up again. That would have been kind of the norm for a day at Union Station. We preserved the main floor, the great hall as it would have been in 1931. So the benches are what you would have sat on if you came here in 1931 to catch a train. The ticket windows were the original ticket windows. The artwork the windows, all of that is original to the building. Even the turazzo floor. Its been kept in its original state. We have restored it so people can see the gran dure. When a passenger would come to take a train they would purchase their ticket for wherever they were going. Theyd drop their bags off or theyd have a repcapd cap to help them at that curve. They were ushers helping people to and from the trains. Making sure they got where they needed to go as quickly as possible. And then after you purchased your ticket you had time to enjoy the amenities of the snaegz station. They had a restaurant which is our swanson gallery today. There was a sit down restaurant that had tables and linens and china and then they had an al a carte lunch table. For those that wanted a quick sweet treat, they would visit the Soda Fountain that we still operate today. It has the best malts in town. They could get their sweet treat there before they got on their train. Beyond that there was a barber shop, a hospital if travellers werent feeling well. If you were in the service there was a uso canteen dhwhich took up the fourth floor. So, you know, you had magazine stands and if you wanted to catch a cab somewhere, as a traveller they took care of you and made sure you could get everything you needed here at the station. Right now were on the lower level of Union Station. This is the original track level. Where were standing on this brick area would have been what passengers would have walked to get on to their train here on the original track one. So you would have had baggage carts in here, porters grabbing tickets and carrying luggage and passengers running to and from. It would have been really cramped quarters, but this is where it all happened to get on to track one. Thats what weve enclosed here. This would have been open. It was enclosed in the 1990s. And that created an exhibit space for us. But at the first Union Station was operating, this overhang would have been your only protection from the cold or the heat or the rain. And that would let you get on to the train. Or travel down the concourse to get to the other tracks. There were 13 tracks that were operating out of Union Station. Here on track one. We have three passenger cars. Those allow people to walk through and get an idea of what it was like to travel on the railroad. See what sleeping conditions would have been like. Al recreation conditions. It gives us an idea of something we dont normally get to experience here in the u. S. Very much. We are inside the southern pacific lousknge car. This is from the mid 1950s. This is the type of car you would have come to to get a cocktail, read the newspaper. Have a little bit of recreation on the train. This an original car original a apoleistry just to give visitors an idea of what life would have been like while youre traveling across country. The older visitors sometimes have memories of riding on trains themselves and can reminisce about that. Its a touchpoint where its an opportunity for conversations between generations. This car is a pullman sleeper car. And there would have been open seating as far as sleeper areas on this car. These lower berths would be double seating as beds. They found down. And this becomes the lower bunk. This this area up here, the porter would come along with a key, open it up, pull it down and that becomes your upper berth. It would have had a curtain across. And some of them did havye have restraints so you wouldnt feel like you would fall out. This was a lower price point than some of the others that are more of the individual rooms and the rest of the car. This was also public bathrooms. So you would have men on one side, women on the other. A little bit of a cramped quarter. But it was the way to travel back in the day. This is still within the pullman car, but these are the individual cabins that you would have been able to purchase instead of sitting out in the public area. These would have been a little more expensive. An individual area with your own sink berths that would still fold out with the net to keep you in. The lower bed would come out of the seating as well. Here also you could individually call the porter through the little button here on the wall. And say you wanted to have your shoes shined. You could put them in a shoe locker call the porter and he would use this door, pop it open, pull your shoes out, take them, get them polished and bring them back and put them in. Hed never have to disturb you. It was very luxurious that you could have things done without being disturbed. In 1971 congress signed into law amtrak to take over the Passenger Service from the other railroads. They had been losing money due to the rise of automobile and plane as ways to travel faster and further. More independently than the train travel. That started declining after world war ii so people could go and do their own thing. With that in 1971 with amtrak legislation all passenger travel outside of amtrak stopped. Thats when the station closed on may 2nd, 1971 the last train came out of Union Station at 2 00 a. M. That was the end of the era of passenger travel. The station was closed. For the last, you know, 40 years it has never closed its downs. It had been 24 hour operation. And they didnt even have a lock. They had to call a locksmith to lock the doors. They didnt know where the keys were. It never needed to close its doors. That was the end of that era. Thats when some omahaens banded together to make sure this wasnt destroyed as one of the premier art deco buildings in town. Thats where the museum comes into being. Union pacific is a freight travel. They do freight back and forth. Union pacific, theyre one of our Largest Companies in omaha. Their Passenger Service may have ended but their service to the community is still going strong. When you walk into the building it is awe inspiring. I have worked here seven years and i still love to look up and see this building. Its kind of hard to imagine going to work every day in this. Its wonderful. And i think for visitors when they come we hope that they leave with an appreciation of not only what Union Pacific did for this community but also the history and people who have built omaha over the years. Throughout the weekend, American History tv is featuring omaha, nebraska. Our citys tour staff recently travelled there to learn about its history. Learn more about omaha at cspan. Org. Youre watching American History tv. All weekend, every weekend. On cspan 3. Each week American History tv reel america brings your films that help to tell the story of the 20th century. The next to last session of the United Nations conference britishs lord halifax presiding. Pays tribute to head of americas delegation and organizer of the successful nine week meeting. He has now been named United States representative to the new International Organization is presented with a scroll in recognition of his efforts. Then a history making moment. As lord halifax called for a standing vote for approval of the chapter. And they rise to be counted. The vote is unanimous. To be counted. The vote is unanimous. As the session adjourns delegates burst into applause. The charter of a new world is born. Arriving in San Francisco for the final conference session is president harry s. Truman. He is met by mr. Stntenius and the chiefs of the other 49 delegations. Along them janse christian premier of south africa and the Prime Minister of canada, mr. Kinsey king. President truman leaves for a brief tour through San Francisco. His is the first visit to San Francisco by a chief executive in seven years. Half a million citizens turn out to hail the president ial motorcade. As mr. Truman arrives 63 days of concerted International Effort are climaxed by the signing of the United Nations charter. First to sign is china the first nation that suffered axis aggression. Dr. Wellington khou signs with a traditional chinese brush. The delegation of the soviet union, ambassador andre dromyko signs for russia. Great britain is represented by lord halifax. The republic of france acting delegation chairman joseph bancouer. 38 of 50 nations to have signed is the United States of america. Secretary of state stentenius. Ladies and gentlemen we are all aware that this is an extremely historic occasion. The charter for world peace has been completed. But this is not the end. It is only the beginning. The great past lies before us. And it is our solemn and our sacred duty to see to it that the United Nations comes into being and fulfills its promise. With faith in our cause and good will in our hearts, and determination to work unceasingly toward this end, i am confident that with gods help, we shall reach our goal. [ applause ] senator connelly is next to sign for the United States. Senator arthur vandenburgh. Commander Harold Stassen of minnesota. A vital and difficult job well done. Appearing before the last formal session of the United Nations conference, president truman congratulated the 280 delegates and expresses the worlds hope for the new International Organization. The charter of the United Nations, which you are now signing, is a solid structure upon which we can build for a better world. History will honor you for it. Between the victory in europe and the final victory in japan in this most destructive of all wars, you have won a victory against war itself. If we had had this charter a few years ago and above all the will to use it millions now dead would be alive. If we should falter in the future in our will to use it millions now living will surely die. There is a time for making plans, and there is a time for action. The time for action is here now. Let us therefore each in his own nation and according to its own way seek immediate approval of this charter and make it a living thing. By this charter you have moved toward the goal for which that gallant leader in the second world struggle worked and fought and gave his life, franklin d. Roosevelt. This new structure of peace is rising up on strong foundations. Let us not fail to grasp this supreme chance to establish a worldwide rule of reason to create an enduring peace under the guidance of god. On a note of enthusiasm unequalled among nations in all history, the San Francisco conference is adjourned. In the United States congress and among free people everywhere the efforts of the chief architect of the United Nations are remembered. Remembered two other words he spoke shortly before he died on World Organization expressing his confidence that congress and the American People will accept the results of this conference as the beginning of a permanent structure of peace from which we can begin to build under god that better world in which our children and grandchildren yours and mine, children and grandchildren of the whole world must live and can live. Losely hayes was the first first lady to earn a college degree. And during the civil war soldiers called her the mother of the regiment. Opposing slavery she opposes her husband ruther b. Hayes to switch to the republican antislavery party. She hosts the First White House easter egg role. Lucy hayes on cspans original series, first ladies influence and image. Examining the position of women who filled the first lady and their influence on the presidency from Martha Washington to michelle obama. On American History tv on cspan3 telephone. Each week, American History tvs reel america brings you archival films that help tell the story of the 20th century. A circus parade. This was the spectacular oh i guess today you would call it a commercial to let everyone in town know that the big top was being raised. And the everyday hum drum world would soon be transformed into one filled with exotic animals. Pretty girls filling pretty costumes, and that oh so daring young man on the flying trapeze. It was a wonderful world. I know because i had the good fortune to start my show Business Career in the circus. I was an aerialist, one of the five marvelous ashtons the marvelous was our own idea. Unfortunately, there hasnt been one of these circus parades for more years than some of us care to remember. So it was natural for the Joseph SchlitzBrewing Community to decide to recreate this wonderful bit of americana for milwaukees celebration for the fourth of july. Here comes the columbia bandwagon, built in 1897. Six black percherrons. This is the first brought to the museum from outside the state of wisconsin. Built in 1903 this originally was a steam wagon. Now it cares an electrically operated xylohone. Our old beauties are joined by some lovely live ones, another disney donation. The wagon, not the girls. The girls are from schlitz, he said with gusto. As the last band passes an ocean of people falls in the line of march. Then home for perhaps a picnic dinner and down to the lakefront for a gigantic display to end this day, a truly special day. Our countrys birthday. As the last of the rockets red glare fades into the night sky, this city looks forward to next year when it celebrates a day in old milwaukee and becomes again americas fourth of july capital. Youre watching American History tv 48 hours of programing on American History every weekend on cspan3. Follow us