 The Japanese Peace Bell at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York was donated by Japan in 1954 as a symbol of world peace . It was created using metal reclaimed from coins and medals provided by donors from around the globe . Similar bells representing a commitment to the cause of world peace can be found in many civic areas , including Hiroshima 's Peace Memorial Park . In 1995 , the city of Oak Ridge , Tennessee , erected a four @-@ ton peace bell – a replica of one of the Hiroshima bells – in the city centre as part of its fiftieth @-@ anniversary celebrations , and to strengthen ties with Japan . The Oak Ridge Friendship Bell is decorated with dates relating to Oak Ridge 's connection to Japan ( the uranium used in the Hiroshima atomic bomb was produced in Oak Ridge ) . In 1998 , a local citizen sued the city over the bell , claiming that it was a Buddhist symbol and violated local laws and the US Constitution . The case was ruled in favour of the City of Oak Ridge . 
