International Day of Peace is observed all over the world on 21 September to strengthen the ideals of peace among people and nations. The theme for this year's peace day celebration is the Sustainable Development Goal: Building Blocks for Peace.
Various events, including meditations, workshops, educational conferences, marches, musical celebrations, art exhibitions and gatherings have been organised globally as part of the peace day celebration. Check events list HERE
The special day, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981 was observed for the first time in September 1982 with the theme - Right to peace of people. "Let us all work together to help all human beings achieve dignity and equality; to build a greener planet; and to make sure no one is left behind," Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General said.
Ahead of the peace day celebrations, Ban Ki-moon observed peace bell ringing ceremony at Peace Garden at United Nations Headquarters along with a minute's silence on 16 September 2016. Watch the video of the event HERE
Check notable quotes, sayings and messages by famous personalities to be shared on International Day of Peace 2016:
Peace begins with a smile. Saint Mother Teresa, Catholic missionary
We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves. Dalai Lama, Tibet's Spiritual leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner
If peace cannot be maintained with honour, it is no longer peace. John Russell, American actor
When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. Jimi Hendrix, American rock guitarist
Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein, German physicist
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world: peace in the hearts of all men and women and peace among the nations of the Earth. Pope Benedict XVI
An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind. Mahatma Gandhi, iconic political figure who championed India's freedom from the British
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. Buddha, founder of the Buddhist religion
Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. Ronald Reagan, 40th US President
Nobody can bring you peace but yourself. Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. John F Kennedy, 35th U.S. President
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Saint Francis of Assisi
Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace. Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa
The purpose of all wars, is peace. Saint Augustine
Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. Martin Luther King, Jr, American activist
You cannot find peace by avoiding life. Virginia Woolf, English writer
The true and solid peace of nations consists not in equality of arms, but in mutual trust alone. Pope John XXIII
I believe in peace. I believe in mercy. Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize winner from Pakistan
Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. George Washington, first US President
Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people. ― Jawaharlal Nehru, first Indian Prime Minister
