Antarctica is Greek for “opposite the Arctic.” It’s the third-smallest continent, larger than Australia and Europe. It has no permanent residents. In 1959, a treaty was signed by twelve nations, formally making Antarctica a continent without countries that is owned by no country.

A plaque in Antarctica bears this quote by one of its early explorers, Richard Byrd: “I am hopeful that Antarctica in its symbolic robe of white will shine forth as a continent of peace as nations working together there in the cause of science set an example of international cooperation.”

And so World Day’s quotes are about peace.

"They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." —Isaiah 2.4

"Now is the gracious Lord's ordinance promulgated, No one shall cause another pain or injury; All mankind shall live in peace together, Under a shield of administrative benevolence." —Adi Granth, Sri Raga

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." —Matthew 5.9

"He brings together those who are divided, he encourages those who are friendly; he is a peacemaker, a lover of peace, impassioned for peace, a speaker of words that make for peace." —Digha Nikaya xiii.75, Tevigga Sutta

"There is nothing good about their private conferences, except for those who advocate charity, or righteous works, or making peace among the people. Anyone who does this, in response to God's teachings, we will grant him a great recompense." —Qur'an 4.114

Peace be to earth and to airy spaces!
Peace be to heaven, peace to the waters,
peace to the plants and peace to the trees!
May all the gods grant me peace!
By this invocation of peace may peace be diffused!
By this invocation of peace may peace bring peace!
With this peace the dreadful I appease,
with this peace the cruel I appease,
with this peace all evil I appease,
so that peace may prevail, happiness prevail!
May everything for us be peaceful!
—Atharva Veda 19.9.14

"The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us." —Black Elk

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.
—Lao Tzu
 
“If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.” —Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama