| International Day of Peace | |
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Flag of the United Nations |
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| Observed by | All UN Member States |
| Date | 21 September |
The International Day of Peace, also known as the World Peace Day, occurs annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to peace, and specifically the absence of war, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone. It is observed by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples. The first year this holiday was celebrated was 1981.
To inaugurate the day, the "Peace Bell" is rung at UN Headquarters (in New York City, United States). The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents apart from Africa. It was given as a gift by the United Nations Association of Japan, and is referred to as "a reminder of the human cost of war." The inscription on its side reads: "Long live absolute world peace."[1]
Individuals can also wear White Peace Doves to commemorate the International Day of Peace, which are badges in the shape of a dove produced by a non-profit in Canada.
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The United Nations General Assembly declared, in a resolution sponsored by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica,[2] the third Tuesday of September/the opening day of regular sessions of the General Assembly as the International Day of Peace devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace.[3]
Tuesday, 21 September 1982, was the first occurrence of the International Day of Peace.
In 2001 the opening day of the General Assembly was scheduled for 11 September, and Secretary General Kofi Annan drafted a message recognizing that observance of International Peace Day on 11 September.[4] That year the day was changed from the third Tuesday to specifically the twenty-first day of September, to take effect in 2002. A new resolution was passed by the General Assembly,[2] sponsored by the United Kingdom (giving credit to Peace One Day) and Costa Rica (the sponsors of the original day) to give the Day of Peace a fixed date and declare it as a global ceasefire day.[5]
A diplomatic stir occurred in 2004 when Lions Clubs International sponsored a contest to select a set of posters to be used for commemorative stamps issued by the United Nations of America. A poster by 13 year-old Taiwanese junior high school student Yang Chih-Yuan was announced as one of the winners. However, it was later announced Yang's poster would not be used. Taiwan media reports, Taiwan Lions Club and the government of Taiwan claimed the decision not to use the poster resulted from pressure from China.[6] The government of Taiwan (Republic of China) later issued a stamp containing the image.[7] Critics claimed that the rejection of the student's painting on purely political grounds did not reflect the ideals of the International Day of Peace,[8] while the UN issued a statement that "due to an internal misunderstanding and miscommunication, Mr. Yang's proof got publicized in error as one of the six stamps intended to be issued."[6]
In 2005, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for the worldwide observance of a 24-hour cease-fire and day of nonviolence to mark the Day.[9]
In 2006, then Secretary-General Kofi Annan rang the Peace Bell for the last time during his term in office. That year the UN asserted the "many ways it works for peace and to encourage individuals, groups and communities around the world to contemplate and communicate thoughts and activities on how to achieve peace. The United Kingdom held the primary public and official observation of the United Nations International Day of Peace and Non-Violence in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. This was organised by Peace Parade UK. [1]"[10]
In 2007, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rang the Peace Bell at United Nations Headquarters in New York calling for a 24-hour cessation of hostilities on 21 September, and for a minute of silence to be observed around the world.[11]
2011 - on its 30th anniversary - the UN Peace Day’s theme is “Peace and Democracy: make your voice heard”. Global Peace Day events and celebrations will be held on September 21st (as well as the week prior and following 9-21). Each year Peace organizations around the world offer cultural events that include School Activities, Music Concerts, Peace Day Comedy, Prayer Vigils, Peace Doves, live internet streaming video and more. This year, lead by a group from Austin, Tx called MedMob (www.medmob.org), 150+ cities across the world will also host large and small public displays of meditation in unison to mark the International Day of Peace. Global Peace Day was remembered also with Rock Balancing happening during September 24 to 25.