Today bells will ring throughout Britain and Germany, and possibly in many or all other nations, for the hundredth anniversary of the ending of the first world war.
“The sound of bells pealing in the UK [will] change from a sombre and solemn ‘half-muffled’ one in early morning to a more celebratory tone, similar to a wedding, at 12.30. At midday we will take the muffles off the bells and at 12.30 it will be more about celebration. The national mood swings then to gratitude, gratefulness and thanks.
“The US Centennial Commission has already made a similar appeal to Americans to take part. Bells in countries observing GMT and Central European Time (CET) are invited to ring at 12.30 GMT (13.30 CET). Bells in countries throughout the rest of the world are invited to ring at either 12.30 GMT or 12.30pm local time.”
P.S.: According to TODAY’s article in the Guardian: “11am: two-minute silence followed by church bells ringing in unison across Britain.”