NATO Celebrates Historic 74th Anniversary, As Finland Joins Today

4th April 2023

NATO Day is commemorated in capitals across the Alliance every year on 4 April, the anniversary of the signing of NATO's founding document, the Washington Treaty, in 1949.

For seventy-four years, the Alliance has remained steadfast in its resolve to protect its citizens, defend every inch of its territory, and safeguard freedom and democracy. NATO Day 2023 is particularly historic, with Finland set to become the thirty-first member of the Alliance.

In Brussels, the anniversary is being marked at several monuments throughout the city. In Parc du Cinquantenaire, the NATO flag is flying under the Memorial Arch, and the Montgomery Circle Fountain is illuminated in NATO blue. One of the best known symbols of Belgium, the iconic Manneken Pis statue, is wearing a special NATO Day costume to join the celebrations.

Other Allies are also marking the anniversary with public events including concerts, the illumination of buildings in NATO blue, and public discussions on the importance of NATO. In London, even Larry, the Cabinet Cat at 10 Downing Street, is celebrating by wearing a "We are NATO" collar.

MEMBER COUNTRIES (+DATES OF ACCESSION)
signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949
Albania - 2009
Belgium - 1949
Bulgaria - 2004
Canada - 1949
Croatia - 2009
Czech Republic - 1999
Denmark - 1949
Estonia - 2004
Finland 4 April 2023
France - 1949
Germany - 1955
Greece - 1952
Hungary - 1999
Iceland - 1949
Italy - 1949
Latvia - 2004
Lithuania - 2004
Luxembourg - 1949
Montenegro - 2017
Netherlands - 1949
North Macedonia - 2020
Norway - 1949
Poland - 1999
Portugal - 1949
Romania - 2004
Slovakia - 2004
Slovenia - 2004
Spain - 1982
Turkey - 1952
United Kingdom - 1949
United States - 1949

Is Finland's army bigger than the UK?
With a population of just 5.5 million, Finland has more artillery than France and Germany combined and can call on as many as 280,000 troops in time of war. Though most of those are trained reserves, the figure is larger than that of the UK.

Negotiations are ongoing on Sweden's application to join NATO.

https://www.nato.int/

NATO Global Fire power

Comparison of the military capabilities of NATO and Russia as of 2023