15 October 2015 - The 37th Anniversary of Peace Day in Chicago was celebrated on September 18 with members of the Philippine Consulate General, members of the Consular Corps in Chicago, and Peace Day supporters and Partners in attendance.

A program commemorating the day's event began at 11:00 a.m. at the Daley Center Plaza in the corner of Dearborn and Washington Streets, in front of Chicago City Hall.   The event started with an introduction of the participating Consulates, with Philippine Consul General to Chicago Generoso D.G. Calonge recognized as the head of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago. After the introductions, a minute of silence for peace was held. Messages from Chicago City Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner were read by representatives of the Chicago Commission on Human Rights and the Illinois Department of Human Rights, respectively.

A parade of flags representing all countries under the United Nations followed, with Consul Ricarte Abejuela III bearing the flag for the Philippines. El Salvador Consul General Patricia Maza-Pittsford, Dean of the Consular Corps, then gave her message to the big audience.

The one-hour program ended with the Chicago community singing the Peace Day’s “Right to Peace Sing-Along.”

Peace Day in Chicago was started in 07 September 07 1978. In 2001, the United Nations established September 21 as Peace Day, an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire, especially in war-torn areas. END