The First World War (1914-1918) caused immense damage to human life and property worldwide. In 1919, an international organisation called the League of Nations was established for maintaining world peace.
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However, it failed to prevent the Second World War (1939-1945).
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The Second World War caused even greater damage than the First World War had done. After this war, the representatives of 50 nations, including India, met at a conference held at San Francisco, USA, in 1945.
They agreed to form an organisation, called the United Nations (UN), for promoting peace and goodwill among nations. They also drafted a charter (a written statement of functions and objectives) for the new organisation.
The UN Charter was signed on 26 June 1945. It came into effect on 24 October, and this day is celebrated every year as UN Day. Today, the UN has 191 members. It has its headquarters in New York, USA.