[ '45-'49 | '50-'59 | '60-'69 | '70-'79 | '80-'89 | '90-'99 | '00- ] [ 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949] 1949

	Summary In April 1949, ten West European countries and the United States and Canada, sign the Washington Treaty, which creates the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), an alliance which brings together free and sovereign countries in order to create a collective security system. The principal purpose of the Alliance is specified in Article 5 which states that "an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all."
15 Mar	The negotiating powers invite Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Norway and Portugal to adhere to the North Atlantic Treaty. Additional information: NATO Archives: "The first five years 1949-1954" by Lord Ismay, NATO Secretary General. Part one: History. Chapter one: Origins of the North Atlantic Treaty: Negotiating the Atlantic Treaty
2 Apr	The governments concerned repudiate Soviet assertions that the North Atlantic Treaty is contrary to the United Nations Charter. Additional information: NATO Archives: "The first five years 1949-1954" by Lord Ismay, NATO Secretary General. Part one: History. Chapter one: Origins of the North Atlantic Treaty: Negotiating the Atlantic Treaty
4 Apr	The North Atlantic Treaty is signed in Washington by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. Additional information: NATO Basic Texts: The North Atlantic Treaty - Washington D.C. NATO Archives: "The first five years 1949-1954" by Lord Ismay, NATO Secretary General. Part one: History. Chapter two: The North Atlantic Treaty. High resolution photos of the Signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington D.C., United States of America.
8 Apr	The Brussels Treaty Powers, Denmark, Italy and Norway request United States military and financial assistance.
4 May	The London Ten-Power Agreement sets up the Council of Europe. Inaugural meeting of the Council at Strasbourg takes place on 10 August. Additional information: Site of the Council of Europe: A short history, "Greater" and "Smaller" Europe NATO Handbook: Chapter 15 - The Wider Institutional Framework for Security - The Council of Europe
9 May	The Berlin blockade is lifted.
24 Aug	The North Atlantic Treaty enters into force.
17 Sept	First session of the North Atlantic Council in Washington. Additional information: NATO Archives: "The first five years 1949-1954" by Lord Ismay, NATO Secretary General. Part one: History. Chapter three: The first steps: First meeting of the Council. NATO Ministerial Communiqués: Final Communiqué of the North Atlantic Council High resolution photos of the North Atlantic Council Meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers in Washington D.C., United States of America.
6 Oct	Mutual Defence Assistance Act of 1949 is signed by President Truman. Additional information: NATO Archives: "The first five years 1949-1954" by Lord Ismay, NATO Secretary General. Part one: History. Chapter three: The first steps: The Mutual Defence Assistance Programme.