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U. S. Navy Memorial Lets Freedom Ring

Bell Ceremony and Film screenings Mark Fourth of July

WHAT: “Let Freedom Ring,” an Independence Day Bell Ringing Ceremony. “Let Freedom Ring” is a nationwide program in which bells across the country are rung thirteen times at exactly 2:00 PM in honor of the thirteen original states that approved the Declaration of Independence.

Every Independence Day, at the appointed hour, four young descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence will tap Philadelphia's famous Liberty Bell, setting off the chimes of freedom from bells throughout the country. The “Let Freedom Ring” event has grown nationwide, and participating bells now include Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Arlington National Cemetery, and thousands of churches, synagogues, state capitals, and government institutions across the country. In addition, every ship of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine participates.

Directly across the street from the National Archives, the United States Navy Memorial’s bell is the closest one to the original signed copy of the Declaration of Independence.

The Navy Memorial will also show high-definition episodes of Hero Ships, a series produced by Lou Reda Productions for History International, in the newly renovated Burke Theatre.

WHO: Thirteen young people will be chosen from among the Navy Memorial’s visitors to participate in this patriotic ceremony. Each will strike the bell once to represent one of the original states.

WHEN: Friday, July 4

11:00 AM Screening of Hero Ship: USS Constitution

1:00 PM Screening of Hero Ship: USS Nautilus

2:00 PM Bell Ringing Ceremony

3:00 PM Screening of Hero Ship: USS Hornet

WHERE: United States Navy Memorial

701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20004

COST: Free and open to the public

CONTACT: (202) 737-2300 or www.navymemorial.org.