The definition of the unit of thermodynamic temperature was given in substance by the 10th CGPM (1954, Resolution 3) which selected the triple point of water as the fundamental fixed point and assigned to it the temperature 273.16 K by definition. The 13th CGPM (1967, Resolution 3) adopted the name kelvin (symbol K) instead of "degree Kelvin" (symbol °K) and in its Resolution 4 defined the unit of thermodynamic temperature as follows:
The kelvin, unit of thermodynamic temperature, is the fraction 1/273.16 of the thermody-namic temperature of the triple point of water (13th CGPM (1967), Resolution 4).
The 13th CGPM (1967, Resolution 3) also decided that the unit kelvin and its symbol K should be used to express an interval or a difference of temperature.
Note: In addition to the thermodynamic temperature (symbol T), expressed in kelvins, use is also made of Celsius temperature (symbol t) defined by the equation
t = T - T0
where T0 = 273.15 K by definition. To express Celsius temperature, the unit "degree Celsius," which is equal to the unit "kelvin," is used; in this case, "degree Celsius" is a special name used in place of "kelvin." An interval or difference of Celsius temperature can, however, be expressed in kelvins as well as in degrees Celsius.
Lähde - source:
http://physics.nist.gov/Pubs/SP330/sp330sl.pdf