"The late Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel left the bulk of his fortune to create the <a href=""http://www.nobelprize.org/"" target=""_blank"">Nobel Prizes</a> to honor work in five areas, including peace. In his 1895 will, he said one part was dedicated to that person ""who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."" See the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize since it was first awarded in 1901."