Introduction to the Japanese Peace Bell: The Japanese Peace Bell was presented to the United Nations by the United Nations Association of Japan in June 1954. It was made from coins collected by children from 60 countries and is housed in a cypress wood structure typical of Japanese shrines. It has become a tradition to ring the bell twice a year; once on the Vernal Equinox, the first day of spring, and again on International Peace Day, which falls on September 21 each year.