Bells To Ring At 4:00pm Thursday

Bells Across America FIBring your bells and come on out to celebrate the 228th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution.

Smith-Bryan Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is proud to sponsor a gathering of participants for Bells Across America at 3:45 pm on Thursday, September 17th on the front steps of the Johnston County Courthouse. There will be a brief ceremony followed by the ringing of bells. Many of the participants, including Smith-Bryan Chapter members and participants from the local Tar Heel Junior Historian groups sponsored by Elaine McPherson, will be wearing Colonial Era attire. 

The DAR actively promotes Bells Across America, an initiative to celebrate the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787.  At 4:00 pm, when the delegates emerged from what is now known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, all the bells rang to celebrate the signing of the Constitution.   The idea is to have churches, schools, fire departments, civic organizations, municipalities, and individuals across the United States to participate simultaneously, so the ringing of bells may be heard from coast to coast at 4:00 pm Eastern time.

Known as the largest women’s patriotic organization in the world, DAR has over 175,000 members with approximately 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and 13 foreign countries. The DAR has long promoted patriotism through commemorative celebrations, memorials, scholarships and activities for children, and programs for new immigrants.