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UN PhotoUnited Nations Peace Bell Ceremony on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the International Day of Peace
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00:12:05
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Summary
It has become tradition to ring the bell twice a year: on the first day of spring, at the Vernal Equinox, and on 21 September to celebrate the International Day for Peace. On the International Day for Peace, the United Nations Secretary-General rings the bell to pray for World Peace, in the presence of Representatives of Permanent Missions and officials of the UN Secretariat.
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The Peace Bell was donated by the United Nations Association of Japan in June, 1954.
Mr. Chiyoji Nakagawa, the former counsellor of the United Nations Association of Japan and observer during the 6th session of the General Assembly in Paris in 1951, proposed to build a Peace Bell as a symbol of hope for peace. The bell was cast from coins and medals donated by the representatives of Member States, the Pope, and people, including children from over 60 different nations who seconded his idea. The bell tower was modeled after the Hanamido (a small temple decorated with flowers) that symbolises the place where Buddha was born.
It has become tradition to ring the bell twice a year: on the first day of spring, at the Vernal Equinox, and on 21 September to celebrate the International Day for Peace. On the International Day for Peace, the United Nations Secretary-General rings the bell to pray for World Peace, in the presence of Representatives of Permanent Missions and officials of the UN Secretariat.