On Veteran’s Day, if you are close to Chester, PA you may hear a bell tolling at 11:11 AM. At the historic 1724 Chester Courthouse resides the Chester Liberty Bell, the very bell which rang out for freedom in 1776. You will hear the bell ring out as part of the nationwide the Bells of Peace ceremony. On 11th of November 1918, bells rang out to announce the end of the most catastrophic war the world had yet seen, and since November 2018, the 100th anniversary of the WWI Armistice, the Bells of Peace ceremony has been held nationwide. As we hear the bell toll, we ask residents of Delaware county to take a moment to reflect on and to salute all Americans who served their nation in both conflict and times of peace.
America250PADelco will be joining in with Bells of Peace as part of the National U.S. remembrance to salute all Americans who served their nation in both conflict and times of peace. The historic bell at the 1724 Chester Court House will toll eleven times at 11:11 AM on November 11th to honor our veterans who have served and sacrificed.
Historically, bells have served as the heart communities, serving as a means of communication long before modern technology connected us and marking events of great significance. On 11th of November 1918, bells rang out to announce the end of the most catastrophic war the world had yet seen, and since November 2018, the 100th anniversary of the WWI Armistice, the Bells of Peace ceremony has been held nationwide.
Did you know that Delaware County also has a Liberty Bell? That's right, we do. Our Liberty Bell is located in the 1724 Courthouse in Chester. The Chester Liberty Bell predates the Philadelphia bell by 28 years and has rung for many important occasions, including on July 8, 1776 when it rang to proclaim independence. In addition to Chester and Philadelphia, there are five other Liberty Bells from Allentown, Easton, Lancaster, Reading and York. These seven bells were said to have been the only courthouse bells that rang simultaneously for liberty in 1776.
As we hear the bell toll, we ask residents of Delaware county to take a moment to reflect on and to salute all Americans who served their nation in both conflict and times of peace.
Thank you to veteran Bob Quay, who will be ringing the 1724 Chester Courthouse Bell. All are welcome to join us in this short ceremony.
#BellsOfPeace #TollTheBells