Croatia becomes a UN Member State

Following recognition by 82 countries in less than six months, Croatia was admitted to the United Nations, becoming the 178th Member State. As a historic event, it was the highlight of diplomatic efforts by Zagreb to gain international recognition of the country, which took its place among the free and sovereign nations. In his address at the Palace of Nations in New York, Croatian President Franjo Tuđman emphasized that Croatia had gained international legitimacy, confirmed its state sovereignty and was determined to build an open, democratic and free society. Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were also admitted to the United Nations on the same day.

1992

24 May

Photo: LZMK

A nation celebrates

An enormous crowd came to greet Croatian President Franjo Tuđman at the central square in Zagreb upon his return from the United Nations in New York, where the admission of Croatia marked the return of the country to the international scene, a historic moment indeed. After the Kingdom of Croatia was founded in 925, Croatia was successively associated with the Hungarian crown throughout the 12th century, then became part of the Austrian Empire from the 16th century (which became Austria-Hungary in 1867) until 1918. At that time, it became a part of Yugoslavia, initially a monarchy and later a federation from 1945, before Croatia regained its independence in 1991.