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By
Diane Forrest
The world has been shocked by the recent murder of
American Ambassador Christopher Stephens in Egypt. That set off a series of other protests and
army attacks. Then the unrest moved to other parts of the world. News of impending wars in Egypt and violence
in Afghan and violence in China. The
fury in the Islamic Nation and the prospect of Iran building a nuclear
bomb. Even in the USA there are random
acts of violence such as the shootings in Colorado and various places across
the country.
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According to Wikipedia, the International Day of Peace,
sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on 21
September. It is dedicated to peace, and specifically the absence of war and
violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone
for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1982, and is kept
by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples. To inaugurate
the day, the "Peace Bell" is rung at UN Headquarters (in New York
City). The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents
except Africa, and was a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan, as
"a reminder of the human cost of war"; the inscription on its side
reads, "Long live absolute world peace".
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Individuals can also wear White Peace Doves to
commemorate the International Day of Peace, which are badges in the shape of a
dove produced by a non-profit organization in Canada.
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The first occurrence was in 1982, and this year there
thousands of planned activities including school activities, music concerts,
global comedy clubs (www.thinkPEACE.net), peace doves, prayer vigils, peace
conferences and U.N. activities.
To see how you can help or things to do, visit these
sites: www.cultureofpeace.org ,
www.UN.org , www.wiserearth.org , www.thinkPEACE.net or search "peace day
events."
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