Peace Pilgrim, born Mildred Lisette Norman, was an American spiritual teacher, pacifist, and peace activist, known for her remarkable 28-year pilgrimage for peace across the United States. Born in 1908 in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, she led a humble life, embracing vegetarianism for ethical reasons and becoming the first woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 1952. Her spiritual awakening led her to dedicate her life to promoting peace, and she walked over 25,000 miles, engaging in conversations about peace and inner growth. Peace Pilgrim had no possessions and relied on the kindness of others for food and shelter, embodying her message of simplicity and non-violence. Tragically, she passed away in a car accident in 1981, during her seventh cross-country journey. Her legacy lives on through the Friends of Peace Pilgrim, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading her message, and through the creation of Peace Pilgrim Park in her hometown. She has been honored with inductions into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame, solidifying her impact as a beacon of peace and compassion.

The Peace of Prague, signed on 30 May 1635, marked a crucial turning point in the Thirty Years' War. It was a bilateral agreement between John George I, Elector of Saxony, and Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor, and effectively ended Saxony's support for the anti-Imperial coalition led by Sweden. This led to the participation of Catholic France in the war as an ally of Protestant Sweden. The war, which began in 1618, initially as an internal dynastic dispute, escalated with the support of various states and rulers within the Holy Roman Empire. The treaty revoked the Edict of Restitution, set a date for the return of properties, and granted a general amnesty to those who had fought against Imperial troops. Many other states and rulers subsequently acceded to the treaty, solidifying its significance in ending the war. The Peace of Prague is widely recognized as a pivotal event that brought an end to the war primarily centered around religious conflicts.

Patti Smith's Peace and Noise, the seventh studio album, was released on September 30, 1997, by Arista Records. The album garnered positive reviews from critics, earning the 29th spot in The Village Voice's 1997 Pazz & Jop poll and ranking 21st in Uncut magazine's list of the top 25 albums of 1997. The single "1959" even received a nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. The album features a talented ensemble, including Patti Smith on vocals and clarinet, Lenny Kaye on electric and acoustic guitars, Oliver Ray on electric and acoustic guitars, Tony Shanahan on bass, and Jay Dee Daugherty on drums, among others. Notable additional personnel involved in the album include Mark Burdett for art direction, Michael Stipe for backing vocals on "Last Call," and Roy Cicala for engineering and mixing. Peace and Noise holds a significant place in Patti Smith's artistic journey and remains an essential piece of her musical legacy.