CNN Library

(CNN) -- Here's a look at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

Facts: The organization's charter states that the signing parties will "seek to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area," and will "unite their efforts for collective defense and for the preservation of peace and security."

April 4, 1949 - Established when 12 nations sign the North Atlantic Treaty in a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

2009-present - The current secretary general is Anders Fogh Rasmussen of Denmark.

28 Member Countries: Albania (2009) Belgium (1949) Bulgaria (2004) Canada (1949) Croatia (2009) Czech Republic (1999) Denmark (1949) Estonia (2004) France (1949) Germany (1955, as West Germany) Greece (1952) Hungary (1999) Iceland (1949) Italy (1949) Latvia (2004) Lithuania (2004) Luxembourg (1949) Netherlands (1949) Norway (1949) Poland (1999) Portugal (1949) Romania (2004) Slovakia (2004) Slovenia (2004) Spain (1982) Turkey (1952) United Kingdom (1949) United States (1949)

Timeline (selected): April 4, 1949 - The 12 nations of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States sign the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C.

July 25, 1950 - First meeting of NATO Council Deputies in London. U.S. Ambassador Charles M. Spofford is elected permanent chairman.

December 19, 1950 - General Dwight Eisenhower is appointed the first supreme allied commander.

April 2, 1951 - Allied Command in Europe becomes operational with Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Roquencourt, near Paris.

Excerpt from:

NATO Fast Facts