The significant early conflict that led to the establishment of the United Nations was World War II. The devastating global conflict, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, underscored the urgent need for a mechanism to prevent future wars and foster international cooperation. In 1945, representatives from 50 nations convened in San Francisco to draft the UN Charter, which aimed to promote peace, security, and social progress. The UN was officially founded on October 24, 1945, becoming a platform for diplomacy, dispute resolution, and the establishment of international law.