The history of the peace symbol

The anti-nuclear emblem or the peace sign is one of the most widely known symbols in the world. This forked symbol was adopted as its badge by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) in Britain, and originally, its use was confined to supporters of that organization. It was later generalized to become an icon of the 1960s anti-war movement, and was also adopted by the counterculture of the time.
The peace symbol was designed and completed February 21, 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a commercial designer and artist in Britain. He had been commissioned by the CND to design a symbol for use at an Easter march to Canterbury Cathedral in protest against the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston in England and other mass marches and sit-downs in London.
The symbol was quickly adopted in the US when a friend of Martin Luther King Jr., Bayard Rustin, began using it during civil rights marches.
The symbol itself is a combination of the semaphoric signals for the letters "N" and "D," standing for Nuclear Disarmament. In semaphore the letter "N" is formed by a person holding two flags in an upside-down "V," and the letter "D" is formed by holding one flag pointed straight up and the other pointed straight down. These two signals imposed over each other form the shape of the peace symbol. In the original design the lines widened at the edge of the circle.

Deliberately never copyrighted, the symbol is still recognized in Great Britain as the logo for nuclear disarmament, but is known worldwide for peace and non-violence. No one has to pay or to seek permission before they use it. As a symbol of freedom, it is free for all.
The CND accepts donations; all money received is used for the organization’s peace education and information work. For more information: http://www.cnduk.org

MAINE PEACE WORKS WORKSHOPS

HISTORY OF THE PEACE MOVEMENT AND PEACE SYMBOL
This workshop can be as long or short as you want it. I bring handouts and some surprises.

PEACE SING-A-LONG
With Roxanne on guitar. I bring song sheets, and my trusty big bag of percussion instruments for full group participation. Just bring your voices and we will have a good time together!

PEACE SYMBOL ART WORKSHOP
Lots of fun stenciling and painting on tee shirts, banners, etc.

All workshops can be adapted as needed – for different age groups, different lengths, different audiences. For more information email: rjmunksgaard@yahoo.com