WASHINGTON, DC: Earlier, the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission (WW1CC), the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (SHGTUS), and Washington National Cathedral, announced a national BELLS OF PEACE campaign.
The BELLS OF PEACE campaign calls for a national bell tolling across the country at 11:00AM on November 11th, to mark the centennial of the end of World War I.
Now, the BELLS OF PEACE has an innovative Smartphone App, to help those groups or individuals who want to participate — especially those who do not have access to bells. The new App is free, and is available for either Apple or Android platforms. You can search for “Bells of Peace” in either app store or got to ww1cc.org/app for links.
The BELLS OF PEACE App has a number of helpful features for those who are leading a group commemoration event, or for those who want to mark a moment of contemplation.
The App features a built-in countdown timer, a variety of different bell sounds, helpful links to World War I websites, and the ability for people to post photos from their local or personal commemoration.
This new BELLS OF PEACE App brings people the ability to join in a simultaneous tolling, from all the phones running the app. As the built-in countdown timer reaches 11am local time, BELLS OF PEACE will toll from every device, together, twenty-one times, in a remembrance of the very special moment, exactly one hundred years ago, when the war finally, finally, ceased.
“Throughout history church bells have been used to mark moments of great sadness and joy,” said the Very Rev. Randolph ‘Randy’ Marshall Hollerith, Dean of Washington National Cathedral. “As we make the centennial of the end of World War I it is appropriate that pause for a moment to honor those who gave their lives in defense of freedom.”
BELLS OF PEACE is an initiative that began in 2014 by the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at Arlington National Cemetery. BELLS OF PEACE is co-led by Washington National Cathedral, and is sponsored by the World War I Centennial Commission. The program is designed to commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who served in World War I, and all veterans.
The initiative calls for all Americans everywhere to toll bells 21 times, at 3 minute intervals, on November 11 at 11:00 a.m. local time.
The WW1CC Executive Director Daniel Dayton is pleased by the new App. “This is a great use for today’s SmartPhone technology. People in states, cities, towns and communities, will pause and remember our veterans as these bells toll for peace”.
Over 350 partner organizations have joined on to the BELLS OF PEACE initiative. In addition, thirty states across America have issued official proclamations supporting the program. The BELLS OF PEACE initiative is also endorsed by the American Legion, and by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
About the World War I Centennial Commission
The World War I Centennial Commission was created by Congress in 2013 to provide educational programs, public outreach, and commemorative events, regarding America’s involvement in World War I. Information on the Commission can be found here. ww1cc.org
The Commission’s founding sponsor is the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago, Ill. To learn more, visit
The Commission’s leading sponsor is the Starr Foundation. Information can be found at
Information about the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier can be found here.
Information about Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, can be found here.
Information about the American Legion can be found here
Information about the Veterans of Foreign Wars can be found here
