Press Room

The historical record is dominated by men. Since antiquity and including the almost 250-year history of the United States, the role of women in society, military service, diplomacy, rights, arts, sciences, business, sports, and more has largely been relegated to a minor position. Not because women weren’t there, weren’t contributing, or weren’t effecting change, but because they were just…ignored. Consider this:

Plans are well underway to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States this July 4, 2026. Across the nation, individuals and organizations are dusting off the history books and hoisting up the Stars and Stripes to prepare for the grand celebration. Whether organizing community block parties, historical reenactments, educational programming, service projects, fireworks displays, or other festivities, Americans are coming together to mark the occasion in grand style. 

In 2026, America will celebrate 250 years of Independence and, to mark the occasion, bells will erupt in a cacophony of sound from sea to shining sea. Amid this tintinnabulation, the thundering tolls of a new bell will be heard for the very first time: the U.S. Semiquincentennial Bell.
 

For over 125 years, St. Bernard’s Church has been ministering to the spiritual, educational, and social needs of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Co-located with an eponymous school, St. Bernard’s tends and fosters the local community with a devout stewardship. Above it all (surmounted only by the copper cross of the belfry) hangs St. Bernard’s bell. 

Rendleman Orchards, tucked into the rolling hills bordering Shawnee National Forest, traces its roots to 1873, when John and Isabelle Rendleman settled on 88 acres of fertile land and established the original family farm. One hundred fifty years later, the farm has grown into one of Southern Illinois’ most fruitful orchards across 850 acres, supplying fresh peaches, nectarines, and apples to commercial produce markets throughout the Midwest.

Spanning the decades, the orchard has remained under family leadership, now in its fifth generation.

This weekend, the American Legion, Department of the District of Columbia, presented Paul Ashe, the director of the National Bell Festival, with a special commendation for our work coordinating bell ringing tributes for Veterans and the selfless men and women who gave the last full measure of devotion to our nation.

The ship’s bell from the USS Indianapolis rang out on the afternoon of May 26, 2023, in remembrance of U.S. Marine Captain Matthew Tomkiewicz, who lost his life on March 18, 2022, near Bodo, Norway, when his aircraft crashed during a NATO training exercise. He was 27 years old. Captain Tomkiewicz, who was born and raised in northeastern Indiana, was one of four killed in the tragedy.

Once again, the skies over Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, thunders with the pealing of bronze bells as the city celebrates their annual Festival of Bells. The world-class War Memorial Carillon is the center of the festival experience, inviting locals and visitors alike to bask in the charming delights of performances on bells. With programming across two days, from Friday’s Last Post Ceremony to a full day of commemorations, concerts, and recitals on Saturday, the Festival of Bells closes out April with reflections and reverberating joy.

From call changes and diminishing rounds to Plain Bob Minor and Grandsire Triples, the bells of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland thundered into the New Year with the National Bell Festival.

The Ringing World is a magazine printed every week since 1911 by ringers, for ringers, about ringers and ringing. Across two dozen pages, the weekly periodical contains articles, advice, reports, training material, notices of ringing events, and items of interest for bell enthusiasts. It also contains the definitive and authoritative record of change ringing peals rung throughout the globe.