In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 36/67 declaring an International Day of Peace。 In 2001， the United Nations General Assembly adopted a new resolution 55/282 declaring 21 September of each year as the International Day of Peace。
The Assembly declared that the Day be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence， an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day。 It invited all Member States， organizations of the United Nations system， regional and non-governmental organizations and individuals to commemorate the Day in an appropriate manner， including through education and public awareness， and to cooperate with the United Nations in establishing a global ceasefire。