IDP History
1980
On 21 September 1980 Iraq launched a full-scale invasion of Iran, which was the beginning of an 8-year-long bloody war (Iran-Iraq war) between the two countries. This however, is probably not the main motivation to name September 21st as the International Day for Peace!
1981
The United Nations General Assembly declared, in a resolution sponsored by Costa Rica, 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.
2001
A new resolution was passed by the General Assembly, 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.
2005
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.
2006
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 organized by Peace Parade UK.
2007
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.
2008
There are thousands of Global Peace Day events each year. Events include Peace Day Comedy in 55 Comedy Clubs, Music concerts, Prayer Vigils, Jane Goodall’s Giant Peace Dove flying in over 60 cities, school activities, UN CyberSchoolBus lessons, Pinwheels for Peace and in some cases the military putting down their weapons for the day!. Peace Day events are encouraged by the United Nations’ Peace Outreach Program and are held on Peace Day September 21th.
2009
As awareness expands ever more rapidly, worldwide peace-oriented organizations continue to think globally and act locally. In Honoka’a, a small former sugar cane plantation town on Hawaii’s Big Island, the 3rd Annual Parade & Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace takes place September 20 at 12:00 noon HST, featuring eclectic island entertainers such as hula halau, Taiko and Native American drummers, jazz, JaWaiian and rock music.
In Colorado, the 3rd Annual Parade & Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace also takes place September 20 at 12:00 noon MST. The plan is to celebrate, have fun and get to know the community and see what people are doing right there to promote Peace by helping build a stronger community, a better economy, and a place where we can all work together for Bigger Change! They will be flying Peace Doves to celebrate with over 100 other countries and The Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots and Shoots Volunteer Groups!
