Celebrated every year on January 1, Global Family Day starts the new year with a positive message of unity to the world. Yes, believe it or not, we are all one! Cultures and religions across the world may be different but, the truth is, all of mankind is a large family that can survive and succeed only if united. And yes, this is a goal that can be achieved — all that is required is spreading the message of peace and unity. 

History of Global Family Day

Global Family Day, also known as World Peace Day, is celebrated every year to promote the concept of harmony and unity in the world. Furthermore, it emphasizes the idea of the world as a global village in which we are all family, regardless of citizenship, borders, or race.It all started in 1997 when the United Nations General Assembly launched the International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World — as of the first day of the new millennium. Linda Grover was a key figure in promoting this in the U.S. and other efforts to promote it included books such as “One Day in Peace – January 1, 2000”. This book revolved around the concept of a day in the future where there is only peace and no war.However, this was just the beginning of a new peaceful world and, in 1999, all U.N. member states received an invitation to formally dedicate the first day of that particular year to develop strategies towards peacebuilding. Seeing the positive impact of the day, Global Family Day was declared an annual event by the U.N. in 2001. 

Global Family Day timeline

117–138 A.D.
Roman Times

Emperor Hadrian introduces the term ‘peace’.

3rd Century
Advocating for Peace

Religions and philosophies promote the concept of peace.

1945
Effects of World War II

The United Nations is founded to ensure wars between countries don’t happen so easily again.

1960s
A New Concept

Johan Galtung speaks of ‘positive peace’, a concept that encourages a modification in social attitude towards accepting peace.

Global Family Day FAQs

What is a global family?

‘Global family’ refers to the concept of a global village where different parts of the world are seen as one community.

Why do we celebrate Global Family Day?

It’s an international day celebrated to promote world peace.

How do we celebrate Global Family Day?

Events are often conducted by organizations and the importance of a united world is emphasized.

How to Observe Global Family Day

  1. Arrange an informative webinar for your community

    Find intellectual academics and hold an hour-long webinar on peace and its importance. The webinar should have a discourse regarding methods that can be adopted to influence the next generation towards peacebuilding.

  2. Create a petition to stop wars/conflicts

    This will be super easy since all you need is the internet to create a petition. Here’s what you need to do: Pick a specific ongoing conflict, research it, reveal the atrocities being committed, and ask people to join in on the cause. A petition with a large number of signatures can actually convince powerful peace-building organizations to take a stand.

  3. Study peacebuilding

    Watch a movie or documentary on peacebuilding or read up on it in the library or on the internet.

5 Interesting Facts About Peace

  1. The philosophy of nonviolent protests

    Martin Luther King was a civil rights leader recognized for fighting for human rights through peaceful protests.

  2. The world spends more on war

    Yearly, $1.8 trillion is spent on arms globally — the U.N. peacekeeping system costs $50 billion.

  3. The Global Peace Index

    According to the result of 2020, Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world.

  4. The war zone

    Afghanistan is number 163 in the Global Peace Index.

  5. Working towards a better future

    184 organizations in the U.S. are working towards peacebuilding.

Why Global Family Day is Important

  1. It reminds us that we are one big family

    No matter which part of the world we reside in, the fact is, we are all human beings with hearts flooded with love. Our differences have been created by politicians and it’s days like Global Family Day that remind us how connected we are.

  2. It works towards ending discrimination

    Global Family Day is essential since it highlights that people of all races, religions, and countries are one. By celebrating it every year, we ingrain a message of peace in the younger generation.

  3. It can ensure World War III never takes place

    By constantly drumming the message of peace into the youth, we are raising leaders who will oppose war and, in effect, ensure the mistakes of the past are never repeated.

Global Family Day dates

Year Date Day
2022 January 1 Sunday
2024 January 1 Monday
2025 January 1 Wednesday
2026 January 1 Thursday
2026 January 1 Friday
National Hangover Day
Global Family Day
Polar Bear Plunge Day
Solemnity of Mary
Universal Hour of Peace
Commitment Day
Euro Day
Z Day
Ellis Island Day
Apple Gifting Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
Public Domain Day
World Day of Peace
Copyright Law Day
New Year's Day
National Bloody Mary Day
Triumph of the Revolution
Rose Bowl Game
International Public Domain Day
National First-Foot Day
Sudan Independence Day
Tournament of Roses Parade
Haiti Independence Day
Mummer's Parade
Ring a Bell Day
National Shepherd Day
Junkanoo
Poppy's Birthday
George Washington Carver's Birthday
Morris Chestnut's Birthday
Diet Resolution Week
Celebration of Life Week
National Silent Record Week
New Year’s Resolutions Week
National Time Consciousness Week
The World Series of Beer Pong
National Blood Donor Month
​National Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Train Your Dog Month
​Thyroid Awareness Month
Unchain a Dog Month
National Soup Month
National Mentoring Month
National Hobby Month
Walk Your Dog Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
National Sunday Supper Month
National Fibre Focus Month
National Polka Music Month
International Brain Teaser Month
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
International Wayfinding Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
Celebration Of Life Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
Financial Wellness Month
International Creativity Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get Organized Month
International Child Centered Divorce Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Eye Care Month
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
National Skating Month
Artichoke and Asparagus Month
National Braille Literacy Month
Rising Star Month
National Poverty in America Awareness Month
Ginuary
Poverty Awareness Month
International Quality of Life Month
National Book Blitz Month
Family Fit Lifestyle Month
National Staying Healthy Month
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
Be Kind To Food Servers Month
National Meat Month
Shape Up US Month
Dry January
Manuary
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Stalking Awareness Month
National Radon Action Month
National CBD Month
Clap 4 Health Month
Prune Breakfast Month
Self-Love Month
Receding Gums Awareness Month
Little Things Mental Health Campaign
Apple and Apricot Month
START Child Health campaign
March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Be On-Purpose Month
National Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
International Change Your Stars Month
National Menudo Month
International Wealth Mentality Month
Retail Bakers Month
National Conscience Month
Tubers and Dried Fruit Month
National Black Diamond Month
National Personal Trainer Awareness Month
Children Impacted by Parent's Cancer Month
National Wheat Bread Month
Veganuary
Get Ireland Active
National Bath Safety Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Slow Cooking Month
National Thank You Month
Teen Driving Awareness Month
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month