Bells Across the Land: A Nation Remembers Appomattox

By Joann M. Ringelstetter

For the past four years, organizations across the United States have been holding events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, which began on April 12, 1861 and ended roughly four years later.

Civil War Grand Army of the Republic Marker, Richland County, Wisconsin

On April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered to Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant and the United States Army. Although the final battle took place on May 13, 1865 at Palmito Ranch, Texas, the surrender at Appomattox Court House is considered the symbolic end of the Civil War.

Statue of Civil War General, Pomeroy, Ohio

To commemorate this historic event, the bells of Appomattox Court House will ring at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9 to coincide with the moment the historic meeting between Grant and Lee ended. The National Park Service and its partners invite churches, schools, public buildings, historic sites, and others to ring their bells at 3:15 p.m. (Eastern Time) for four minutes (symbolic of the four years of the Civil War).

Gravestone of Civil War Veteran, Dell Cemetery, Vernon County, Wisconsin

I will be sharing more information about the Civil War in upcoming blogs. Until then….

Happy Shunpiking!
Joann