Egypt Lights Pyramids and Sphinx in Blue to Celebrate UN’s 70th Anniversary

The Sphinx and the three Pyramids of Giza were lit in blue among more than 300 landmarks around the world in celebration of the UN’s 70th anniversary. Credit: Amr Nabil/ AP

In honor of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, the Sphinx and three Pyramids of Giza were bathed in blue light on Saturday, along with a variety of other famous landmarks around the world.

The worldwide celebration kicked off in New Zealand and Australia, where the Auckland Museum and the Sydney Opera House were the first monuments to be lit up in blue. Over 300 monuments in 60 countries, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, the Hermitage Museum in Russia, the Peace Palace in The Netherlands and the Kahramana Statue in Iraq followed suit.

The United Nations Headquarters in New York City was also lit in blue on Friday night, when the annual UN Day concert featuring a Korean orchestra was held in the General Assembly Hall.

UN Day has been celebrated every year on October 24 since the organization’s charter came into force in 1948. The UN was established three years after the end of World War II to replace the ineffective League of Nations and to serve as a promoter of world peace and human rights.

In a message published on the UN website, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said the organization “remains a beacon for all humanity” and that the “timeless values of the UN charter must remain our guide”.

The Cairo Tower was also recently lit up in blue – the color of the UN – in celebration of Egypt securing a two-year non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Here’s a glimpse at other landmarks worldwide that were illuminated in blue lights in celebration of the UN’s 70th anniversary: