Tuesday, September 21st marks an important day for believers and unbelievers around the world: the International Day of Peace.  Offically recognized by the United Nations in 1981, the Day of Peace serves as a day of prayer, reflection, and nonviolent action.  The UN asks for a ceasefire of all hostilities and asks all member nations to respond with awareness and education of peacemaking pratices.

"There is special poignancy and purpose in this year's observance of the International Day of Peace. The troubling events of the last year -- the conflicts, violence and hatred, the bomb attack on the United Nations itself in Baghdad, the deep divisions among states -- have raised fundamental questions about the efforts of the international community to promote peace and well-being for all the world's people."

http://www.un.org/events/peaceday/2003/a55r282.pdf and http://www.un.org/events/peaceday/2003/