The 2024 Peace Day celebration in Rockville, Maryland was a huge success! Hundreds of children and families from across the United States and Canada joined local leaders for a day filled with entertainment, games, craft activities, and conversations – all rooted in messages of “Heartsongs and hope” offered by the late teen poet and peace ambassador, Mattie J.T. Stepanek.
In 2004 when Mattie passed away just before his 14th birthday due to a rare neuromuscular disability, a Congressional Resolution was passed and a flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol to honor his humanitarian work and unwavering effort to cultivate peace.
In 2005, the City of Rockville and Montgomery County in Maryland where he lived began proclaiming Mattie’s July 17 birthday as “Peace Day” for local neighbors. In 2014, another Congressional Resolution was passed, this one in support of a National Peace Day to occur annually on July 17. While that proclamation has yet to receive a presidential signature, since 2016 the State of Maryland has also been proclaiming Mattie’s “Peace Day” and joining his namesake Foundation in the annual celebratory activities.
This year’s event was held in the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park during September due to an oppressive heat wave during July. The early fall day was perfect for “peace, purpose, and play” – life values that are critical pillars for the Pathways2Peace and Three Choices for Peace messages that Mattie shared, and that are now the core of his Foundation’s programs and events.
Participants diverse in age and ability explored Mattie’s messages in a series of “Peace Stations” – each facilitated by trained volunteers. These Peace Guides facilitated meaningful conversation and a craft activity or game that helped folks explore the station’s message. On stage, musicians, comedians, and poets gave inspirational performances before city, county, and state leaders offered proclamations and remarks about why Peace Day matters. The event culminated with a ribbon cutting for the new labyrinth and flame of hope art sculpture in the park, and a festive peace walk to Mattie’s statue in the Peace Garden.