International Day of Peace 2027
International Day of Peace 2027 is on Tuesday, September 21, 2027 (in 344 days). It is observed every year on September 21 and is dedicated by the United Nations to nonviolence and a global ceasefire. It is not a federal holiday.
- Date
- Tuesday, September 21, 2027
- Countdown
- In 344 days
- Federal holiday
- No
- Date rule
- September 21 (fixed date)
- Possible dates
- Always September 21; only the weekday changes
- Next occurrence
- Thursday, September 21, 2028
International Day of Peace dates by year
| Year | Date | Weekday | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | September 21, 2026 | Monday | 21 days ago |
| 2027 | September 21, 2027 | Tuesday | in 344 days |
| 2028 | September 21, 2028 | Thursday | in 23 months |
| 2029 | September 21, 2029 | Friday | in 2 years |
| 2030 | September 21, 2030 | Saturday | in 3 years |
| 2031 | September 21, 2031 | Sunday | in 4 years |
| 2032 | September 21, 2032 | Tuesday | in 5 years |
| 2033 | September 21, 2033 | Wednesday | in 6 years |
| 2034 | September 21, 2034 | Thursday | in 7 years |
| 2035 | September 21, 2035 | Friday | in 8 years |
Dates are calculated from the rule shown above, not copied from a list, so they stay correct for any year. See everything else happening that month in the calendar for September 2027.
The date of the International Day of Peace
The day is fixed on September 21, so only the weekday changes. The UN General Assembly established it in 1981 and first observed it in 1982 on the opening day of its regular session, which was the third Tuesday of September. In 2001 the Assembly fixed the date at September 21 and declared it a day of nonviolence and cease-fire. In 2028 the day is on Thursday, September 21, 2028.
How it is observed
The UN Secretary-General rings the Peace Bell at UN headquarters in New York at a ceremony, followed by a minute of silence. The bell was a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan, cast from coins contributed by delegates from about 60 countries. The 2001 resolution followed a campaign by the British filmmaker Jeremy Gilley and his organization Peace One Day.
Peace days around the calendar
The International Day of Peace is one of several UN days with a related message. The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on October 2, the birthday of Mohandas Gandhi, and was established by the General Assembly in 2007. United Nations Day on October 24 marks the day in 1945 when the UN Charter came into force. The UN was founded after World War II "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war", as the preamble to the Charter says.
How to take part
You do not need to attend an official ceremony. Schools often hold lessons or assemblies on conflict resolution, community groups organize vigils and peace walks, and many people simply observe a minute of silence. The UN has used the day repeatedly to call for cease-fires, and the General Assembly's 2001 resolution invited all nations and people to stop hostilities on that date. The United Nations website lists the theme for each year and ideas for events.
In the United States
The International Day of Peace is not a federal or state holiday in the United States, and offices, banks and schools are open. Many schools, churches and community groups hold peace events, and the date falls close to the start of autumn.
Frequently asked questions about International Day of Peace
When is International Day of Peace 2027?
International Day of Peace 2027 is on Tuesday, September 21, 2027.
When is International Day of Peace 2028?
International Day of Peace 2028 is on Thursday, September 21, 2028.
Is the International Day of Peace a holiday?
No. It is a UN observance and not a federal or state holiday in the United States.
Why is the International Day of Peace on September 21?
The Assembly first held it on the opening day of its yearly session, and since 2001 the date has been fixed at September 21.
Who started the day?
The UN General Assembly created it in 1981. The 2001 decision to give it a fixed date followed a campaign by Peace One Day, founded by Jeremy Gilley.