The amazing facts about this day provide the people of planet Earth their greatest opportunity to foster non-violent benevolence that will head the world toward a future of peaceful progress.

December 22 is the Winter Solstice. Until then the days keep getting shorter, but at the moment of the Solstice they start getting longer.

In ancient cultures people feared that the days would keep getting shorter and disappear. But on the solstice they started getting longer and people celebrated this miracle.

A global Minute for Peace was first held one month following the time of President John F. Kennedy's death. His efforts to see peace realized through the United Nations were ended in Dallas on November 22, 1963, at 19:00 GMT, the very moment on the global clock when the United Nations Charter was signed eighteen years earlier. In the Minute for Peace broadcast given at the end of the 30-day mourning period (December 22, 1963), a recording of President Kennedy was broadcast globally -- preceded by Front Page announcements in many newspapers around the globe telling when this would occur.

The recording was from Kennedy's speech at the United Nations, September 25, 1961:

"Never have the nations of the world had so much to lose or so much to gain. Together we shall save our planet, or together we shall perish in its flames. Save it we can -- and save it we must -- and then shall we earn the eternal thanks of mankind and, as peacemakers, the eternal blessing of God."

Let each individual who believes in the power of prayer, of goodwill, join with others on Minute For Peace Day -- December 22 -- conscious of being linked with others throughout the world on that day, as they pray for peace, talk about the way to peace, and purpose peace in their hearts and minds.

To people of every religion it will be a means to realize the potentials of their faith, that if they agree at the same time, for the same purpose, they can ask what they will and it will be done. On Minute for Peace Day, they will ask, in love, for peaceful progress in their lives and throughout the world. To humanists, this will be a time to ponder peace, to celebrate peace with a new awareness of our common humanity.

On this great day of opportunity, a new faith, hope and love can replace the dead leaves of the past and inspire cooperation for our common good. Together we can provide a new beginning for the human family -- a time to forgive, forget and start anew.

A Minute for Peace exhibit at the 1965 World's Fair increased interest and resulted in daily Minute for Peace broadcasts on many radio stations. These featured the ringing of the UN Peace Bell, amd a statement by a world leader about ways to foster peace and understanding. This was followed by a request that listeners add their prayer and commitment to help foster peaceful progress on our planet.

To obtain maximum unity in participation, the time designated was 0300, 1100, and 1900 GMT. Stations could progam any one as their Minute For Peace and know they were aiding a global turn toward peace.

The idea of Minute for Peace became popular and played a role in ending the war between Pakistan and India in 1966. United Nations Delegates from both sides publicly joined in silent prayer, as they were asked to meditate on peace and good will, with determination to overcome hatred and injury with the power and benefit of reconciliation and cooperation. That night, in a UN Security Council special meeting, they declared peace.

A Minute for Peace became the centerpiece of Earth Day, when we invite people World-Wide to join in silent prayer or reflection, as the Peace Bell at the United Nations is rung to celebrate the beginning of Spring.

Peace begins in the mind. The repeated participation by friends and adversaries, in heartfelt thoughts and silent prayers for peace, when the Peace Bell was rung each year on Earth Day, helped end the Cold War.

Spread the word to every church, synagogue, mosque and school and let people everywhere know of this opportunity to tap the best of their religious values; to join hearts and minds in loving faith that wherever there is hate, fear or conflict, peace will prevail. Together we can make the new millennium a new and better future for the human adventure.

A call by world leaders and heads of government could persuade TV networks and others to promote Minute for Peace Day -- followed by a daily Minute for Peace all over the world.