The World Day of Peace is a Roman Catholic Church feast day dedicated to universal peace, held on January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. 

Pope Paul VI established it in 1967, and the day was first observed on January 1, 1968.

Catholics call this feast day the world day of prayer for peace, and they mark it on the first day of each new year.

On December 17, 1969, the UN General Assembly recognized the World Day of Peace as an official holiday, during which the faithful ask God to stop all wars and establish peace on Earth, reported Calend.ru.