On 11 December 2002, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 57/129, declaring 29 May the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, in response to a formal request from Ukraine and the Ukrainian Peacekeepers Association. The day was first observed in 2003. The date marks the anniversary of the first UN peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, which began operations in Palestine in 1948. Since then, more than one million men and women have served in UN peacekeeping operations worldwide, and thousands have lost their lives in the line of duty. The day honors the high level of professionalism, dedication, and courage shown by peacekeepers and commemorates those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for peace. Tribute ceremonies are held at UN headquarters and at field missions around the world, alongside awareness events highlighting the importance of peacekeeping operations in conflict-affected regions.