The United Nations Organization evolved out of the four-power alliance who were the victors in World War II, and invitation to membership was originally extended only to those nations who had declared war on Germany prior to 1 March 1945. Switzerland had fiercely clung to its neutrality in both world wars, and was not entirely comfortable becoming part of a policing organization begun by one side. Neutrality was such an important part of Swiss identity that Switzerland soundly rejected membership (by popular votes) as late as 1986, and remained solely an observer at the UNO until 2002.