The First World War encouraged the world to invest in an international organisation to deal with conflict. Many believed that such an organisation would help the world avoid war. As a result, the League of Nations was born. However, despite its initial success, it could not prevent the Second World War (1939-45). Many more people died and were wounded in this war than ever before. The UN was founded as a successor to the League of Nations.

How many countries were the founding members of the UN?

51

1945 June 26: Signing of the UN Charter by 50 nations (Poland signed on October 15; so the UN has 51 original founding members)