Ring in the New Year with peace and harmony on World Day of Peace on January 1! This special day was established by the United Nations in 1981 to promote international understanding and cooperation, while emphasizing respect for human rights. It is an opportunity to come together as a global community to recognize our shared humanity and celebrate the values of justice, freedom, and solidarity that we all strive for. So let's start the year off right by celebrating World Day of Peace – a day dedicated to bringing peace, joy, and hope to everyone around the world.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1968</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of World Peace Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>Pope Paul VI established New Year's Day (January 1) as the World Day of Peace.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1972</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Theme Introduced</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first theme, "If you want Peace, work for Justice", was introduced for the World Day of Peace.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1986</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Interreligious Meeting in Assisi</div><div class='timeline-text'>Pope John Paul II invited other religions to join a meeting where they all prayed together for peace.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UN Resolution Affirms Holiday</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations recognized the Roman Catholic efforts, passed a resolution, and began celebrating World Day of Peace annually.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Pope John Paul II's Last Message</div><div class='timeline-text'>Pope John Paul II's last message for this day called for a 'New International Order' to rectify global imbalances.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Peace and Fraternity</div><div class='timeline-text'>Pope Francis’ message for the 2020 World Day of Peace focused on peace as a journey of hope in the face of obstacles and discord.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to a charity</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Donating to a cause that promotes peace, such as a charity that supports refugees or victims of violence, is an excellent way to celebrate World Day of Peace.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer your time</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a local organization or event that promotes peace and volunteer your time. This could include volunteering at a soup kitchen, a community garden, or a peace march.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write to your representatives</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Write letters to your local representatives, asking them to support policies that promote peace and justice in your community and around the world.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create art</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Create artwork that expresses the ideals of peace and justice. Paint a mural, write a poem, or compose a song - whatever speaks to you.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a peaceful gathering</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a peaceful gathering in your neighborhood or community to celebrate World Day of Peace. Invite friends and family for an afternoon of peaceful activities such as drum circles, yoga, meditation, and more.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Honoring peace & justice</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Day of Peace is an important opportunity to honor and recognize the progress made in pursuit of global peace and justice. It is a day for reflection on past struggles and victories, as well as an opportunity to celebrate the diverse cultures, religions, and beliefs that make up our world.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Creating awareness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Day of Peace calls attention to issues such as human rights abuses, poverty, hunger, health care access and more. By raising awareness about regionally specific issues around the world, World Day of Peace educates us all on the need for international cooperation in promoting development and fostering relationships between countries.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promoting unity & hope</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Day of Peace is ultimately a celebration of unity and hope. It promotes a sense of common humanity and encourages us to come together with others to help promote a peaceful environment in our local communities and beyond. This celebration provides an opportunity to build bridges between people from various countries and backgrounds -- which can ultimately lead to more understanding among one another.</p></div></div>
World Day of Peace is celebrated on January 1 every year. In 2024 World Day of Peace will occur on a Monday.
2023
Jan 1
Sunday
2024
Jan 1
Monday
2025
Jan 1
Wednesday
2026
Jan 1
Thursday
2027
Jan 1
Friday