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A Day for Peace

If you’ve already bought your new calendar for 2009, you may have already noticed a new holiday gracing its pages. September 21 is the official International Day of Peace – also known as "Peace Day." And while next year’s celebration will mark the first time the day has been recognized by calendar makers, Peace Day has been around for more than a quarter century.

The International Day of Peace was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 and was first celebrated in 1982. In 2002, the General Assembly officially declared September 21 the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. The U.N.’s purpose in creating Peace Day was to encourage all of humankind to work in cooperation toward the goal of establishing peace worldwide. Every year many warring nations declare a ceasefire in honor of Peace Day.

But you don’t have to be a government leader to participate. While creating lasting world peace may seem like a lofty goal, there are many small, simple ways every one of us can celebrate peace. You can find a list of local Peace Day observances at the official International Day of Peace web site. You can also talk to your friends or children about what peace means to you, or you can promote peace by working to heal a difficult relationship in your own life. Or if you want a more low-key way to honor Peace Day, you could just observe a moment of silence on Sept. 21 at noon.