You can’t have a Peace Rally without music. So before we go any further, click play. .
Today is the International Day of Peace, celebrated around the world since 1981.
To inaugurate the day, the “Peace Bell” is rung at the United Nations. This bell was cast from coins donated by children from all the continents, and given to the United Nations by Japan, the only country ever bombed with nuclear weapons. It is referred to as “a reminder of the human cost of war.”
I don’t think I need a reminder. But just in case you do, here are the places on the planet that are living with war today. India. Afghanistan. Somalia. Iraq. Pakistan. Mexico. Sudan. Myanmar. Israel. Palestine. Colombia. India. Indonesia. Philippines. Turkey. Sudan. Democratic Republic of Congo. Ethiopia. North Korea. And hundreds of other places, including the living rooms of video gamers who are just practicing killing.
I’m a peacenik by genetics, with my mom routinely marching in anti-war, anti-nukes, and pro-Test Ban Treaty rallies. But by personality, I’m kind of a warrior – as anyone who knows me could tell you. So I’m suggesting that maybe you join me (and hopefully a million others) at noon today to spend one minute of this World Peace Day praying/thinking/conceiving of peace.
Feels good, doesn’t it?
Today my $100 donation goes to those ardent peacemongers at Coalition for Peace Action in Princeton, NJ who have spent 30 years advocating for nuclear disarmament, a peace economy, and an end to weapons trafficking at home and abroad.
I’m getting the urge to pick up a picket sign –hey, see you at the next march! To join me, give here.
What Gives 
living rooms should be decorated with style that is why i always get some living room decoration idea on the internet :~.
Even looking at the list of countries at war, I have to believe that the overwhelming majority of people around the world have no interest in bombing and shooting. They’re just trying to live their lives, take care of their children, and enjoy whatever time they have on this earth. Why do we keep following “leaders” who lead us to war? It’s insane.
Thanks, Betty, for the encouraging post.
I had no idea we had a world peace day! And since 1981? Thanks to Betty we all now know.
It’s very sad to see the list of the countries at war.
We are also at war. American soldiers are dying and killing. American families are missing and losing loved ones. Many of us do not feel the least bit like we are at war – for various reasons, only certain segments of America contribute to the war effort – and I believe that is wrong. If we are at war, we should all be at war and all share the terrible prize of war. At the very least we should not forget that we are at war.
Amen to that, Charlotta. Just because it’s not on our soil doesn’t mean it’s not our war.
Simply awesome Betty! Thank you so much for sharing and for the beautiful work you are doing!
Love this! Peace to all…
Amen, sister. Beautiful piece on international peace. Overwhelming as one human being, but if only…
amen!