The First Earth Run

THE DREAM AWAKENED

Native American elders create the fire and offer an inspirational message at the sunrise ceremony on the grounds of the United Nations. New York City, USA

The time was 1983, the year the TV movie “The Day After” was broadcast nationwide to one of the largest TV audiences in America. In this movie, America was destroyed by a nuclear attack launched by the Soviet Union. The movie created shock amongst Americans as they watched tens of millions of people killed in their country. It was as if the country had a collective near-death experience.

It was a time when the two most powerful nations on Earth aimed their deadliest weapons at each other in a doomsday scenario of mutually assured destruction. Children were in despair of ever having a future and the smartest political strategists of the world could not imagine a way out. The world was enveloped in a profound psychological darkness.

PEACE ON EARTH BY 2030

In 1986 at the height of the cold wara torch of peace was passed around the world. The First Earth Run, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund directly engaged twenty-five million people and 45 heads-of-state in 62 countries. Over a billion people watched the torch via the media circumnavigate the globe. For 86 days wherever the torch of peace went all wars stopped and the world was united as one. Since then this modern day mythic story embodying humanity’s noblest aspiration for peace on earth has continued to be told all over the world.

DREAM PHOTO GALLERY

Snow storm greets runners during last leg through New York City on way to United Nations Closing Ceremony. USA

Delegates at closing ceremony in UN General Assembly Hall describing how the torch brought inspiration to their countries. New York City, USA

Native American elders create the fire and offer an inspirational message at the sunrise ceremony on the grounds of the United Nations. New York City, USA

Torch lit from cauldron at UN Opening Ceremony. New York City, USA

Child reading her message to UN dignitaries at opening ceremony. New York City, USA

United Nations Secretary General, Javier Perez de Cuellar, with torch at opening ceremony. New York City, USA

Children singing at opening ceremony at United Nations attended by 20,000 people with the participation of many celebrities. New York City, USA

Global runner, Phil Wiengarner fueling the miners' lamps that maintain integrity of peace flame.

Preparing the miner's lamp peace flame for flight.

Miner’s lamp holding peace flame and global runners at 40,000 feet.

Airline pilot signing miner’s lamp box containing peace flame transported on plane.

Representatives of twelve America's Cup crews took time out from sailing (against each other) to demonstrate their support for peace and cooperation. Freemantle, Australia

Global runner Selina Chirchir from Kenya gets a little help in Bangladesh.

Special Olympians carry the torch. Bahrain

Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa lighting the torch with Gail Straub in Bahrain

Sunset Ceremony overlooking Bay of Rio de Janeiro in front of the Christ of Corcovado statue garlanded with a blue and white “Paz” (peace) banner for the occasion. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A clown dressed in the colors of the Brazilian flag having fun running with the torch. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Street kids carry torch. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Runners with huge peace banner accompany torch to City Stadium where thousands await. São Paulo, Brazil

Leading entertainer, Gilberto Gil holding torch at peace concert he organized with the best of Brazil’s popular musicians. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Before a crowd of 80,000 people, President of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara was honored with a medal for his contribution to community development. He delivered a speech highlighting the role of women and children in creating peace.

Thousands of villagers welcome the torch of peace to Burkina Faso.

Crowds with candles lit from the torch of peace. Burkina Faso

First Earth Run President David Gershon, giving peace torch to Li Xiuannian, President of China, at Great Hall of People. Bejing, China

President Li Xiuannian in a light moment with First Earth Run International Director, Gail Straub. Bejing, China

First Earth Run global team at the foot of the Great Wall of China.

Young boy with UNICEF and Chinese Flags at Great Wall of China ceremony.

Runners reach the top of the Great Wall of China after climbing thousands of feet.

Mother and child with torch. Bogotá, Colombia

50,000 plus crowd gathered in stadium celebrating torch’s arrival. Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire

President Felix Houphouet celebrates his 81st birthday with torch and kiss by Canadian global runner Patty Anglin. Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire

Czechsolvakian Olympic great Emil Zatopek talking with global runner Selina Chirchir. Prague, Czechslovakia

Torch relayed into government square. Prague, Czechslovakia

Children cheering the arrival of the torch. Birmingham, England

Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, Alan Webster, lighting peace candles with children of many ethnic backgrounds. London, England

Royal Albert Hall candle lighting ceremony followed by gala peace concert. London, England

Pope John Paul II honors torch of peace with young runners at gathering of 60,000 at Stade de Gerland. Lyons, France

First Earth Run slogan in French. "Offer Peace to Children, it is the Future of the World." Paris, France

Parisian bus with UN peace symbol and father with child honor flame’s arrival. Paris, France

First Earth Run brochure and global runners after a long day. Paris, France

Dusk just outside Paris. This baby boy is now a young man. Paris, France

Torch bearer and runners. East Berlin, Germany

Construction workers receive the torch. East Berlin, Germany

Peace lamp and soldier. Guatemala City, Guatemala

Global runner Milka Singh and friends. Madras, India

Holy man with miner’s lamps transporting the fire. Mathura, India

Children's posters for peace. New Delhi, India

Going slowly through the streets with an estimated 100,000 participants and spectators mingled together. Hyderbad, India

Jim Grant, Executive Director of UNICEF and First Earth Run sponsor holds torch at Conference on South Asian Children. New Delhi, India

Runners with flower garlands at Taj Mahal. Agra, India

Expecting many guests for a ceremony at Indian President Giani Zail Singh’s residence. New Delhi, India

Celebration of the peace flame in ornamental costume. Indonesia

Torch used as part of celebration at Temple of Prambanam enacting ancient Hindu Ramayama epic. Jakarta, Indonesia

Some of the millions of Indonesians that lined the streets for over 1,500 kilometers as the flame traversed the country from Java to Bali. Indonesia

Arab and Jewish children from the Neva Shalom community carry the torch of peace together on the way to Jerusalem. Israel

Torch of peace honored in ceremony in Jerusalem. Israel

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and celebrity, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi running with the torch. Nagasaki, Japan

Pre event soccer with global runner Selina Chirchir and young boy. Nagasaki, Japan

Ceremony at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with Governor Takeshita and Mayor Araki. Runners laid a wreath at the Cenotaph for victims of the atomic bomb. Hiroshima, Japan

Children talking with global runner from United States, Phil Wiengarner. Hiroshima, Japan

Passing of Peace Flame from Japan to Indonesia

Torch runner and flag holder on snowy afternoon. Hokkaido, Japan

President Daniel Moi receives the torch personally at Nairobi International Airport. Kenya

Running having just lit cauldron on top of Pyramid Temple of the Sun. Teotihuacán, Mexico

King Birendra of Nepal signs miner’s lamps housing the flame on the grounds of Katmandu Royal Palace. Katmandu, Nepal

Prince Gyanendra lights an eternal flame at birth place of the Buddha. Lumbini, Nepal

Inscription describing the installation of an eternal peace flame at the pilgrimage site of Buddha's birth place. Lumbini, Nepal

Peace candles being lit from the torch. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Boy with peace candle. Amsterdam, Netherlands

President Ibrahim Bababgida delighted 60,000 spectators by an impromptu run with torch. Lagos, Nigeria

President Corazon Aquino with torch after delivering a stirring speech about the need for world cooperation to an estimated crowd of 500,000 people. Manila, Philippines

Children standing with makeshift torches in the rain. Warsaw, Poland

Young boy with peace candle. Warsaw, Poland

In Red Square, many torches were dispersed throughout the country. A strong message of support was delivered by President Mikhail Gorbachev, "The Soviet Union greets those who are selflessly and courageously carrying the torch of peace across the planet...strengthening the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding among peoples." Moscow, Russia

David Gershon and Russian Olympic Runner Lioudmila Bragina interviewed by a reporter. Moscow, Russia

Young gymnasts with miner's lamp containing the peace flame. Moscow, Russia

More than 10,000 runners behind the torch. Leningrad (St Petersburg), Russia

Hong Kong film and musical celebrities took part in “Superstars for Peace” event at Singapore National Stadium. Singapore

Tahitian dancers in ceremonial dress welcoming torch. Tahiti

School children awaiting the torch's arrival. Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania

Peace meditation with torch at Thammasat University. Bangkok, Thailand

Boy with UNICEF flag. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Tibetan spiritual leader lights torch carried up Mt. Everest by American and Chinese mountaineers. Lhasa, Tibet

t. Everest torch bearers with backdrop of the Potala, former residence of the Dali Lama. Lhasa, Tibet

Thousands gather along route to greet the torch. Kampala, Uganda

Touching the torch of peace. Kampala, Uganda

Candle lighting ceremony. Boston, Massachusetts, USA

UN Athletic Club runners in blue, join global runners in red to merge peace flame with John F. Kennedy's eternel flame at Arlington National Cemetery. Washington, DC, USA

Children along the route between Washington DC and New York City. USA

FIRST EARTH RUN ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA

FIRST EARTH RUN: UN OPENING CEREMONY REMARKS

Remarks from US President Ronald Reagan

Remarks by UN Secretary-General H.E. Javier Perez de Cueller

Remarks by James P. Grant, Executive Director of UNICEF

UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION

United States Congress Resolution H. Res. 160

FIRST EARTH RUN MUSIC

This music was inspired by the First Earth Run. It contains musical offerings by a number of artists who call upon us to envision a planet of peace, cooperation, global unity and our responsibility to create it.

1. Earth Run Anthem: Amanda George, James Papoulis – 2:20
2. Earth Run Anthem (instrumental): James Papoulis – 2:19
3. Run for the Life of the World: Julie Stafford, Dave Nolan – 3:50
4. Carry the Flame: Randy Bishop, Lisa C. Cohen – 4:04
5. Give the World a Chance: M. Tewksbury, P. Spiller – 4:38
5. Earth Run: Lee Ritenour – 4:32
7. D’Une Rive A L’Autre: Michel Jonasz – 4:04
8. Celebrate Life Around the World: Joyce, Ray – 1:39
9. Run for My Life: Cavarier – 4:09
10. We Love You First Earth Run: Franko – 5:07
11. Pass Me the Torch of Peace: Omar Ken – 5:13

FIRST EARTH RUN POSTER COMPETITION

As part for the First earth Run, there was a national competition in Japan to create posters celebrating this epic event to further peace in the world. It inspired a great outpouring of creativity and vision. What follows are the wining posters and the runners-up.

Read this interview with David Gershon and Gail Straub from Context Institute, entitled, “Earth Run, Circling the globe with a torch of peace.”