Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., has signed a proclamation declaring Kansas’ role in marking the anniversary of the Armistice.

Americans across the nation will toll bells in remembrance of those who served and sacrificed. 

Bells of Peace: A World War I Remembrance

A National Tolling of Bells to Honor Those Who Served in the Great War

WHEREAS, a century ago 4.7 million American families sent their sons and daughters off to World War I;

WHEREAS, the resources of our entire nation were brought to bear on the war effort;

WHEREAS, 116,516 Americans gave their lives in the war, and more than 200,000 were wounded;

WHEREAS, the tolling of bells is a traditional expression of honor and remembrance; and

WHEREAS, in November 2018 the world will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the fighting in World War I at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the United States World War I Centennial Commission does hereby call upon all Americans across the nation to toll bells in remembrance of those who served in World War I at 11 a.m. on November 11, 2018.

Blair Tarr is the Museum Curator of the Kansas State Historical Society. He oversees the three-dimensional collections of the Society, but has special interests in the Civil War, Wichita-made Valentine diners, and Leavenworth's Abernathy Furniture. In the last few years he has also done a lot of cramming on The Great War. He is a past president of the Kansas Museums Association and the Civil War Round Tables of both Kansas City and Eastern Kansas. He is currently a board member of the Heritage League of Greater Kansas City.