United Nations Day. . .Should It Be Every Day?

Today, by my calendar, is United Nations Day.
The name United Nations was devised by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was first used in the Declaration by United Nations of January 1, 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their governments to continue fighting against the Axis Powers (at that time, the Major Axis Powers were Nazi Germany, Facist Italy, and Imperial Japan).
I could tell you all about how on April 25, 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco to draw up the United Nations Charter on International Organization. But I won't. I'll just tell you that these earnest individuals were "determined to set up an organization which would preserve peace, advance justice, and constitute a permanent structure for international cooperation."
They signed the Charter on June 26, 1945. And Poland, which was not represented at the conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States.
On October 24, 1945, with flags of all the nations flying together, the United Nations officially came into existence. And the chief observance of the United Nations was designated as October 24th of each year.
By 1956, the American committee for the United Nations promoted the celebration of United Nations week. The official American Association for the United Nations sent out information and suggestions for programs, requesting the people help the United Nations promote a peaceful future.
United Nations Day is celebrated very generally in all states and American possessions and by all 81 countries, which are members of the United Nations, for the purpose of informing the people of the world as to the aims, purposes and achievements of the UN. Some towns hold a public rally, perhaps at the City Hall, with the American flag displayed with the flag of the United Nations. Speakers stress the accomplishments of the organization. Some shop windows feature products and dress of other lands. Some towns put on an "International Festival" with songs and dances. Maybe a banquet with foreign dishes is held at a local church.
Once a year we designate a day to promote peace. Once a year we set aside one day, one week, where different nationalities, with different religions and colors, plan to come together and celebrate a peaceful coexistence.
A peaceful coexistence. . . . Why just one day? Why can't we plan to do this every day for a whole year? Why can't we plan to do this every year, all year long? Why do we have to plan for it? Why can't we just do it?
When are we going to learn that we all have the same feelings of pride in our traditions, the same hurt at being ignored or abused, the same desires for a safe home and good job, the same love for our families? When are we going to realize that we are all alike, no matter what our nationality, religion, or color?
Why just one day, one week out of the whole year? Why not united nations all the time? What have we done lately to preserve peace, advance justice, and constitute a permanent structure for international cooperation? Maybe United Nations Day should be every day! (Sources: United Nations Day websites at www.un.org, www.patriotism.org)