The United Nations Organization was inaugurated during a short ceremony at the U.S. State Department in Washington. Twenty-nine countries ratified the United Nations Charter. It was signed by 50 nations on June 26, 1945 in San Francisco. U.S. Secretary of State James Byrnes signed the charter and declared it a part of the "law of nations." Byrnes claimed it was a historic event and day for nations of the world who sought peace. It came with a personal caveat: peace was not based on documents, but the will of people to keep it.
The name "United Nations" was coined by US President Franklin D Roosevelt, and was first used in the Declaration by United Nations of when representatives of 26 nations pledged to continue fighting against the Axis Powers.
Woodrow Wilson created the UN's predecessor, the League of Nations. It was established after the 1914-18 World War. Formed to prevent another global conflict, it failed to thwart the first World War.