On this day, 76 years ago, March 18, 1949 (February 19, 1949 in the lunar calendar), the Allies established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. On March 18, 1949, the Allies established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Lord Ismay became Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization at its headquarters in London. The 12-nation alliance aims to build a united front against the Soviet Union and its allies. The alliance ended the division of Europe that many countries struggled to avoid. These allies claimed that the organization would be conducive to "maintaining peace and security." On March 18, 1949, the United States and Western European countries openly established a collective defense alliance plan they called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Was this a legal defense treaty or a militarist plan that would only anger the Soviet Union? Strong arguments have been made by those holding both views. The allies agreed that an armed attack on any one of them was an attack on all of them. Their goal is to "maintain peace and stability." They also reiterated their support for the United Nations. Critics believe the treaty will turn Europe into a military camp for provoking war with the Soviet Union. In early March, the Belgian Communist Party passed a resolution opposing any "war of aggression against the Soviet Union." Left-wingers in Italy and Germany have publicly expressed strong opposition to the alliance. Secretary of State Dean Acheson, a leading supporter of the treaty, scolded critics, saying that only strength can keep the peace. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and other countries drafted the convention. Italy, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Portugal were invited to sign the convention in April.