The world marks the International Day of Peace on Monday, September 21, under this year's theme "Invest in Peace -For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day," calling for a 24-hour global ceasefire and non-violence.
This year's theme shifts focus from diplomats to ordinary people the "everyday architects of peace" a framing that gives local communities a direct and practical way to participate rather than treating peace as something only negotiated in conference rooms.
The observance dates back to 1981, when the UN General Assembly established it to coincide with the opening of its annual session and the first Peace Day was held in 1982. It became a fixed, permanent date September 21 every year starting in 2002, following sustained advocacy from British filmmaker Jeremy Gilley's Peace One Day campaign.
Past themes have included "End Racism. Build Peace" (2022) and "Leaving No One Behind for Peace and Development" (2025).
A global minute of silence is observed at noon in each time zone, creates what organizers call a rolling "Peace Wave" circling the world throughout the day.
