School Day of Nonviolence and Peace Date in the current year: January 30, 2026

Founded in 1964 by Majorcan poet, pacifist, and educator Llorenç Vidal Vidal, the School Day of Non-violence and Peace was established to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence through education. Vidal chose January 30 to commemorate the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian independence movement leader known for promoting the philosophy of nonviolent resistance.

Gandhi was born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on October 2, 1869. The honorific “Mahatma”, which means “great soul” in Sanskrit, was first applied to him in South Africa, where he lived for more than two decades between the ages of 23 and 45. It was there that Gandhi became interested in civil rights and developed his political and ethical views.

Upon returning to India in 1915, he joined the Indian National Congress and became its leader in 1920. Under Gandhi’s leadership, the Congress became the principal driving force behind the Indian independence movement. In 1920, he launched the non-cooperation movement, encouraging Indians to stop cooperating with the British colonial government and to boycott English goods.

Gandhi called off the non-cooperation movement after police fired upon a group of protesters in the town of Chauri Chaura. In 1930, he led a nonviolent protest against the salt tax known as the Salt March. In 1942, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, demanding an end to British rule in India.

By the time India gained independence from Britain in 1947, Gandhi had become a revered folk hero. However, the independence of the British Raj came at the cost of partitioning the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan, which was accompanied by religious violence between Hindus and Muslims. Rather than celebrating India’s independence, Gandhi focused on restoring peace between religious communities.

On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu nationalist who opposed his efforts toward religious tolerance while he was on his way to a prayer meeting. Ironically, a man who spent his life preaching nonviolence was murdered in a violent act. Gandhi’s death anniversary is observed as Martyr’s Day in India and the School Day of Nonviolence and Peace.

The main goal of the School Day of Nonviolence and Peace is to promote peace education in schools worldwide. Its key message is: “Universal love, nonviolence, and peace. Universal love is better than selfishness, nonviolence is better than violence, and peace is better than war.”

On January 30 each year, schools worldwide hold various events in commemoration of the day, such as discussions and collaborative projects designed to help students understand the importance of peaceful conflict resolution and coexistence. In some countries in the Southern Hemisphere, the observance is moved to March 30 because January 30 falls during the summer break.