When is International Day of Peace 2026
International Day of Peace 2026
Monday, September 21, 2026
When is International Day of Peace 2027
International Day of Peace 2027
Tuesday, September 21, 2027
Why we celebrate International Day of Peace?
We celebrate the International Day of Peace to end violence, war, discrimination and other forms of injustice. This holiday celebrates those who contribute to a prosperous world. It calls for an end to hostilities and the laying down of arms for 24 hours. People on all continents can take part in the celebration, putting aside both external conflicts and internal ones. In the end, by joining forces for good, we can make the world a better place.
The holiday was established by the UN General Assembly. The International Day of Peace was formerly celebrated on the third Tuesday in September. This date coincided with the opening day of the annual session of the UN General Assembly. In 2001, the General Assembly decided to move the date to 21 September. The General Assembly admonishes all countries to refrain from the use of military force for 24 hours. It proposes a day of peace and harmony. Alternatively, it could be called a day of non-violence and cease-fire around the world.
What Do People Do?
Every year, a theme is chosen for the celebration, revealing topical issues. For example, the theme for 2022: End Racism. Building Peace; 2021: Recovering Better for an Equitable and Sustainable World. Various events and ceremonies are held. The very first ceremony is the declaration of a moment of silence next to the Peace Bell. At noon, the UN Secretary-General strikes the Peace Bell. The bell is meant to ring like a shockwave around the globe, marking the start of the International Day of Peace. People from every time zone join in a moment of silence at midday.
Various institutions organise charity events. People ennoble alleys, plant trees, light candles and sing peaceful prayers. All events are aimed at achieving peace and respect for one another. Another important tradition is the release of a white dove as a symbol of peace.
How to Celebrate International Day of Peace?
The International Day of Peace is held each year on 21 September. All countries of the world are invited to celebrate. Start this day in harmony with yourself and put all negative thoughts out of your mind. Encourage peace in the world. There is a similar holiday – the Universal Hour of Peace Day, which is celebrated in December.
International Day of Peace Observances
List of dates for other years
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 21 September | 2023 | International Day of Peace |
| Saturday | 21 September | 2024 | International Day of Peace |
| Sunday | 21 September | 2025 | International Day of Peace |
| Monday | 21 September | 2026 | International Day of Peace |
| Tuesday | 21 September | 2027 | International Day of Peace |
| Thursday | 21 September | 2028 | International Day of Peace |
| Friday | 21 September | 2029 | International Day of Peace |
| Saturday | 21 September | 2030 | International Day of Peace |
| Sunday | 21 September | 2031 | International Day of Peace |
| Tuesday | 21 September | 2032 | International Day of Peace |
| Wednesday | 21 September | 2033 | International Day of Peace |
| Thursday | 21 September | 2034 | International Day of Peace |
| Friday | 21 September | 2035 | International Day of Peace |
| Sunday | 21 September | 2036 | International Day of Peace |
International Day of Peace Video
International Day of Peace Cards
List of Common Holidays in 2026
| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | ||
| Jan 1 - Tues | New Year's Day 2026 | National holiday |
| Jan 6 - Sun | Epiphany 2026 | Christian |
| Jan 7 - Mon | Orthodox Christmas Day 2026 | Orthodox Christian |
| Jan 14 - Mon | Orthodox New Year 2026 | Orthodox Christian |
| Jan 15 - Tues | Makar Sankranti 2026 | Hindu |
| Jan 21 - Mon | Tu B'Shevat 2026 | Jewish |
| Jan 21 - Mon | Martin Luther King Day 2026 | National holiday |
| February 2026 | ||
| Feb 1 - Fri | National Freedom Day 2026 | Observance |
| Feb 1 - Fri | National Wear Red Day 2026 | Observance |
| Feb 2 - Sat | Groundhog Day 2026 | Observance |
| Feb 5 - Tues | Chinese New Year 2026 | Observance |
| Feb 12 - Tues | Lincoln's Birthday 2026 | Observance |
| Feb 14 - Thurs | Valentine's Day 2026 | Observance |
| Feb 18 - Mon | Presidents' Day - Washington's Birthday 2026 | National holiday |
| March 2026 | ||
| Mar 1 - Fri | Read Across America Day 2026 | Observance |
| Mar 1 - Fri | Employee Appreciation Day 2026 | Observance |
| Mar 5 - Tues | Maha Shivaratri 2026 | Hindu |
| Mar 5 - Tues | Mardi Gras 2026 | Christian |
| Mar 6 - Wed | Lent 2019 | Christian |
| Mar 6 - Wed | Ash Wednesday 2026 | Christian |
| Mar 10 - Sun | Daylight Saving Time - begins 2026 | Daylight Saving |
| Mar 17 - Sun | St. Patrick's Day 2026 | Observance |
| Mar 20 - Wed | Spring/Fall - March equinox 2026 | Season |
| Mar 21 - Thur | Purim 2026 | Jewish |
| Mar 21 - Thurs | Holi 2026 | Hindu |
| April 2026 | ||
| Apr 1 - Mon | April Fools' Day 2026 | Observance |
| Apr 3 - Wed | Isra and Mi'raj 2026 | Muslim |
| Apr 13 - Sat | Thomas Jefferson Birthday 2026 | Observance |
| Apr 14 - Sun | Rama Navami 2026 | Hindu |
| Apr 14 -Sun | Palm Sunday 2026 | Christian |
| Apr 15 - Mon | Tax Day 2026 | Observance |
| Apr 16 - Tues | National Library Workers Day 2026 | Observance |
| Apr 18 - Thurs | Maundy Thursday 2026 | Christian |
| Apr 19 - Fri | Good Friday 2026 | Christian |
| Apr 20 - Sat | Holy Saturday 2026 | Christian |
| Apr 20 - Sat | Passover - Starts 2026 | Jewish |
| Apr 21 - Sun | Laylat al Bara'at 2026 | Muslim |
| Apr 21 - Sun | Easter 2026 | Christian |
| Apr 21 - Sun | Earth Day 2026 | Observance |
| Apr 22 - Mon | Easter Monday 2026 | Christian |
| Apr 24 - Wed | Administrative Professionals Day 2026 | Observance |
| Apr 25 - Thurs | Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day 2026 | Observance |
| Apr 26 - Fri | Orthodox Good Friday 2026 | Orthodox Christian |
| Apr 26 - Fri | Arbor Day 2026 | Observance |
| Apr 27 - Sat | Passover - Final Day 2026 | Jewish |
| Apr 28 - Sun | Orthodox Easter 2026 | Orthodox Christian |
| May 2026 | ||
| May 1 - Wed | May Day 2026 | Observance |
| May 2 - Thur | Yom Hashoah 2026 | Jewish |
| May 2 - Thurs | National Day of Prayer 2026 | Observance |
| May 5 - Sun | Cinco de Mayo 2026 | Observance |
| May 6 - Mon | National Nurses Day 2026 | Observance |
| May 6 - Mon | Ramadan starts 2026 | Muslim |
| May 12 - Sun | Mothers' Day 2026 | Observance |
| May 15 - Wed | Peace Officers Memorial Day 2026 | Observance |
| May 18 - Sat | Armed Forces Day 2026 | Observance |
| May 22 - Wed | National Maritime Day 2026 | Observance |
| May 23 - Thurs | Lag BaOmer 2026 | Jewish |
| May 27 - Mon | Memorial Day 2026 | National holiday |
| May 30 - Thurs | Ascension Day 2026 | Christian |
| Jun 1 - Sat | Laylat al Qadr 2026 | Muslim |
| June 2026 | ||
| Jun 1 - Sat | Laylat al Qadr 2026 | Muslim |
| Jun 5 - Wed | Eid al-Fitr 2026 | Muslim |
| Jun 6 - Thurs | D-Day 2026 | Observance |
| Jun 9 - Sun | Shavuot 2026 | Jewish |
| Jun 9 - Sun | Pentecost 2026 | Christian |
| Jun 10 - Mon | Whit Monday 2026 | Christian |
| Jun 14 - Fri | Flag Day 2026 | Observance |
| Jun 16 - Sun | Fathers' Day 2026 | Observance |
| Jun 20 - Thurs | Corpus Christi 2026 | Christian |
| Jun 21 - Fri | Summer/Winter Solstice 2026 | Season |
| July 2026 | ||
| Jul 4 - Thurs | Rath Yatra 2026 | Hindu |
| Jul 4 - Thurs | 4th of July - Independence Day 2026 | National holiday |
| Jul 28 - Sun | Parents Day 2026 | Observance |
| August 2026 | ||
| Aug 4 - Sun | Friendship Day 2026 | Observance |
| Aug 11 - Sun | Day of Arafat 2026 | Muslim |
| Aug 11 - Sun | Tisha B'Av 2026 | Jewish |
| Aug 11 - Sun | Eid al-Adha 2026 | Muslim |
| Aug 14 - Wed | Raksha Bandhan 2026 | Hindu |
| Aug 15 - Thurs | Assumption of Mary 2026 | Christian |
| Aug 19 - Mon | National Aviation Day 2026 | Observance |
| Aug 21 - Wed | Senior Citizens Day 2026 | Observance |
| Aug 23 - Fri | Krishna Janmashtami 2026 | Hindu |
| Aug 26 - Mon | Women's Equality Day 2026 | Observance |
| Aug 31 - Sat | Muharram 2026 | Muslim |
| September 2026 | ||
| Sept 2 - Mon | Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 | Hindu |
| Sep 2 - Mon | Labor Day 2026 | National holiday |
| Sep 8 - Sun | National Grandparents Day 2026 | Observance |
| Sep 10 - Tues | Ashura 2026 | Muslim |
| Sep 11 - Wed | Patriot Day 2026 | Observance |
| Sep 17 - Tues | Constitution Citizenship Day 2026 | Observance |
| Sep 23 - Mon | Fall/ Spring - September equinox 2026 | Season |
| Sept 29 - Sun | Navratri 2026 | Hindu |
| Sept 30 - Mon | Rosh Hashana 2026 | Jewish |
| October 2026 | ||
| Oct 7 - Mon | Child Health Day 2026 | Observance |
| Oct 7 - Mon | Dussehra 2026 | Hindu |
| Oct 9 - Wed | Leif Erikson 2026 | Observance |
| Oct 9 - Wed | Yom Kippur 2026 | Jewish |
| Oct 14 - Mon | Sukkot 2026 | Jewish |
| Oct 14 - Mon | Columbus Day 2026 | National holiday |
| Oct 16 - Wed | Boss's Day 2026 | Observance |
| Oct 21 - Mon | Shemini Atzeret 2026 | Jewish |
| Oct 22 - Tues | Simchat Torah 2026 | Jewish |
| Oct 27 - Sun | Diwali 2026 | Hindu |
| Oct 31 - Thurs | Halloween 2026 | Observance |
| November 2026 | ||
| Nov 1 - Fri | All Saints' Day 2026 | Christian |
| Nov 2 - Fri | All Souls Day 2026 | Christian |
| Nov 3 - Sun | Daylight Saving Time - ends 2026 | Daylight Saving |
| Nov 10 - Sun | The Prophet's Birthday 2026 | Muslim |
| Nov 11 - Mon | Veterans Day 2026 | National holiday |
| Nov 28 - Thurs | Thanksgiving Day 2026 | National holiday |
| Nov 29 - Fri | Black Friday 2026 | Observance |
| December 2026 | ||
| Dec 2 - Mon | Cyber Monday 2026 | Observance |
| Dec 1 - Sun | Advent 2026 | Christian |
| Dec 6 - Fri | St Nicholas Day 2026 | Christian |
| Dec 7 - Sat | Pearl Harbor Remebrance Day 2026 | Observance |
| Dec 17 - Tues | Wright Brothers Day 2026 | Observance |
| Dec 22 - Sun | Winter/Summer Solstice 2026 | Season |
| Dec 23 - Mon | Hanukkah/Chanukah - Starts 2026 | Jewish |
| Dec 24 - Tues | Christmas Eve 2026 | Christian |
| Dec 25 - Wed | Christmas Day 2026 | National holiday |
| Dec 26 - Thurs | Kwanzaa -thru Jan 1 2026 | Observance |
| Dec 30 - Mon | Hanukkah/Chanukah - Final Day 2026 | Jewish |
| Dec 31 - Tues | New Years Eve 2026 | Observance |
