The third edition of The Blue Helmets is a unique publication, containing the main facts of 41 United Nations peace-keeping operations from 1948 through early 1996. Wearing their familiar blue helmets or blue berets, military personnel serving as United Nations peace-keepers are increasingly being joined by civilian colleagues. Together, they have been given ever more challenging mandates. United Nations peace-keeping operations have supervised cease-fires and the separation of forces; they have helped promote national reconciliation and respect for human rights; and they have organized and monitored elections. Humanitarian tasks have also been brought within the purview of peace-keeping.