As World War II was about to end in 1945, nations were in ruins, and the world wanted peace. Representatives of 50 countries gathered at the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, California from 25 April to 26 June 1945. For the next two months, they proceeded to draft and then sign the UN Charter, which created a new international organization, the United Nations, which, it was hoped, would prevent another world war like the one they had just lived through.
Four months after the San Francisco Conference ended, the United Nations officially began, on 24 October 1945, when it came into existence after its Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and by a majority of other signatories.
Now, more than 75 years later, the United Nations is still working to maintain international peace and security, give humanitarian assistance to those in need, protect human rights, and uphold international law.
At the same time, the United Nations is doing new work not envisioned for it in 1945 by its founders. The United Nations has set sustainable development goals for 2030, in order to achieve a better and more sustainable future for us all. UN Member States have also agreed to climate action to limit global warming.
With many achievements now in its past, the United Nations is looking to the future, to new achievements.
The history of the United Nations is still being written.
Timelines by decade highlighting key UN milestones
The story of the 1945 San Francisco Conference
The steps that led to the signing of the UN Charter in 1945
The UN’s predecessor and other earlier international organizations
The United Nations, its specialized agencies, related agencies, funds, programmes and staff have been awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize twelve times