This is not political. Peace doesn’t necessarily have to be associated with the conflict of war, it can be related to violence/intolerance in our daily lives, to peace of mind. To each of us, peace can take on a different meaning, but, in the end, it all comes down to a simple definition: a state of calm and serenity, with no anxiety, the absence of violence, freedom from conflict or disagreement among people or groups of people.

About International Day of Peace, September 21

• The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982.

• In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.

• By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal. During the discussion of the U.N. Resolution that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that:

• "Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace."

• Since its inception, Peace Day has marked our personal and planetary progress toward peace. It has grown to include millions of people in all parts of the world, and each year events are organized to commemorate and celebrate this day. Events range in scale from private gatherings to public concerts and forums where hundreds of thousands of people participate.

• International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire – personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.

The peace symbol

This symbol was originally used for the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War (DAC) and was adopted as its badge by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) in Britain, and originally was used by the British nuclear disarmament movement. It was subsequently adopted as an international emblem for the 1960s anti-war movement, and was also adopted by the counterculture of the time. It was designed and completed February 21, 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a professional designer and artist in Britain

Steps:• Color your pinwheel• Cut the diagonal lines• Use a hole punch to punch a hole in the 4 sides• Punch a hole in the middle• (this can be done by bending the pinwheel in half,

and punching the hole while it’s• folded)• Wrap the chenille stem around the stick once• Twist 3 times• Tape the back of the chenille stem to the stick/pencil

with tape so it doesn’t come off the• stick• Place 1 Pony Bead through both ends of chenille

stem• Put the center hole of the pinwheel through both

ends of the chenille stem• Put the 4 corner holes through the chenille stem• Put the second Pony Bead on both ends of the stem• Bend both ends out, like the wings of a paper

fastener• If the ends are too long, trim with scissor• I have found that Third grade students can do all of

these steps independently, and• younger students with assistance.