World Hello Day Challenge: Greet 10 People For Peace Today

How many people to you pass in the street every day? How many people do you see on the bus or the train? In the office? At the deli? How many people do you say hello to in a day? Today is World Hello Day, an annual holiday that encourages “local participation in a global expression of peace.”

So how many people can you say hello to in a day? The website challenges people to “greet 10 people for peace” in honor of the 39th World Hello Day. Seems simple enough, right?

According to the site, World Hello Day was started in 1973 in response to the conflict between Egypt and Israel. Today, the holiday is observed in 180 countries around the world.

The World Hello Day website reads:

“World Hello Day was begun in response to the conflict between Egypt and Israel in the Fall of 1973. Since then, World Hello Day has been observed by people in 180 countries. People around the world use the occasion of World Hello Day as an opportunity to express their concern for world peace. Beginning with a simple greeting on World Hello Day, their activities send a message to leaders, encouraging them to use communication rather than force to settle conflicts.”

According to the Oman Observer, World Hello Day has been endorsed by 31 Nobel Peace Prize Winners. International figures like John Glenn, Colin Powell, Kofi Annan also encourage people to participate in World Hello Day.

Do you think saying hello to ten people will be an easy task? Are you celebrating World Hello Day?