Campus bell to ring as part of Civil War surrender events

Liberty University’s campus Liberty Bell will be rung for four minutes, from 3:15-3:19 p.m., as part of a national commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the surrender at Appomattox Court House. Bells will ring across the nation at the approximate time Gen. Robert E. Lee met with Gen. Ulysses S. Grant to surrender the southern army, beginning the process to end the Civil War. The bells will continue to ring for four minutes, one for each year of the war. This is in conjunction with the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Events, taking place throughout the weekend.

The bell ringing ceremony at Liberty will begin at 2:45 p.m. with a series of events, including a message from Virginia Sen. Steve Newman. The full schedule is listed below.

Schedule of events

2:45: CSA and U.S. Honor Guards march from Religion Hall to Liberty Bell

2:50: CSA and U.S. Honor Guards take position around Liberty Bell

2:55: Host (Jerry Edwards) introduces Senator Steve Newman

3–3:13: Senator Newman’s message

3:15-3:19: Ringing of Liberty Bell for four minutes

3:20: Placement of commemoration wreath in front of Liberty Bell

3:25: Salute by Honor Guards

3:28: First Verse of “America the Beautiful” by Dr. Wayne Kompelien

3:30: Closing Prayer led by Dr. Harold Willmington

3:35: Honor Guards March Back to Religion Hall