In 2001, The United Nations General Assembly resolution (A/Res/55/282) was unanimously adopted by UN member states, formally establishing an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on the UN International Day of Peace, fixed in the global calendar on 21 September-Peace Day. Internationally Peace One Day is a non-profit organization, impartial and independent of any government, political persuasion, corporation or religious creed. Since the day of peace was accepted by the UN, Peace One Day has been successful in creating peace building education curriculum, soccer tournaments, and establishing peace day celebrations, ceasefires, and other peace-building initiatives all over the world.

Charleston Peace One Day is taking this mission and localizing it to the Charleston, South Carolina area. Charleston Peace One Day was founded in 2008 with Charleston’s first ever citywide peace day festival. The inspiration to hold a festival in Charleston came from Professor Reba Parker’s College of Charleston Sociology 101 class in 2007. The class watched a documentary on Jeremy Gilley’s mission to establish the International Day of Peace, which was being celebrated all over the world. Out of 400 students asked, only 2 had ever heard of the day. The class decided to hold peace day activities in 2007 on the college campus, and by 2008 the idea became a citywide festival with over 600 attendees.

By 2009 the festival grew to have over 2,000 attendees, 30 vendors, Art Gallery, 6 entertainment acts, 9 speakers, soccer games, Kids Global Village Activities, and a night concert at Music Farm.The 2010 fetival was held at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, including a Make a Commitment Compaign and Speak Peace Tents for public discussion & dialogue. 

Charleston Peace One Day now works year round on programming and education resources that promote a culture of peace and non-violence in our community.