International Day of Peace Sep. 21, 2023

Every year on September 21, the United Nations celebrates the International Day of Peace, or World Peace Day. Established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly, the day begins with the Peace Bell Ceremony held at the United Nations headquarters. The bell was a special gift from the United Nations Association of Japan, with the hopeful message "Long live absolute world peace" inscribed on it.

© Ilyas Ayub/Alamy

palette

Today in History

A dramatic celebration of peace
Sep. 21, 2023International Day of Peace
Sep. 21, 2024Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
Sep. 21, 2025Sea Otter Awareness Week

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Mar. 6, 2024Wahclella Falls, Oregon, USA
The envy of postcards and snow globes
Aug. 16, 2025World Honey Bee Day
Nov. 15, 2024Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand
An iridescent view
A butterfly’s best friend
Unbe-leaf-able
Oct. 3, 2025Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Aug. 30, 2023International Whale Shark Day
Jul. 11, 2024World Population Day
Beautiful from all angles
Sep. 2, 2025Camel thorn trees, Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia
Sep. 1, 2025Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
Dec. 23, 2025Reindeer, Lapland, Finland
Apr. 7, 2024International Beaver Day
Jul. 19, 2025Jacksons Point Lighthouse on Lake Simcoe, Ontario
Mar. 21, 2025Happy International Day of Forests!
Aug. 19, 2024Two Atlantic puffins in Elliston
May 1, 2025Lei Day
Aug. 31, 2025Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, Nebraska, United States
Oct. 30, 2025Pushkar Camel Fair
Sep. 29, 2024West Cornwall Covered Bridge, Connecticut, USA
Sep. 30, 2025Koala in the Great Otway National Park, Australia
Aug. 10, 2024Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
A triumphant pose
Mar. 21, 2024International Day of Forests
Feb. 5, 2024Monarch butterflies, Goleta, California
Trusty water-shifters
Mar. 24, 2026Cherry blossoms at East Lake Cherry Blossom Park, Wuhan, China
Sep. 3, 2025Grizzly bears at Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska, United States