*What: The Annual Bill of Rights Day Community Bell Ringing Event

When: Bill of Rights Day, Sunday, December 15, 2024

Time: 2:00 PM  to 2:04 PM, EST

Where: In front of Hillsborough’s historic 1845 courthouse, 104 East King Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278.

Details: 233 seconds (3 minutes, 53 seconds) of simultaneous community bell ringing to mark the 233rd anniversary of when the first ten amendments became part of the U. S. Constitution, December 15, 1791.

Why: In the summer of 1788, delegates from across North Carolina met in Hillsborough, NC (“Birthplace of the Bill of Rights”) to consider ratifying what was then the “new” U.S. Constitution. NC’s Constitutional Convention changed history instead. NC’s Constitutional Convention was the only one of the thirteen states to vote to postpone ratifying the U.S. Constitution until provisions were made for introducing a Bill of Rights to Congress and the ratifying states. That became the “tipping point” for why Congress took up the issue and why amendments were added. On December 15, 1791, ten amendments became part of the U. S. Constitution, the ones we call the “Bill of Rights” protecting essential liberties and legal fairness.

Details: To mark the historic anniversary of when the Bill of Rights became part of the U. S. Constitution and every citizen’s birthright, Hillsborough, NC marks the “last great holiday” of the calendar year with Community Bell Ringing. We ring bells for as many seconds as the Bill of Rights has been in force. For the 233rd anniversary in 2024, that means 233 seconds (3 minutes, 53 seconds) of continuous simultaneous bell ringing starting at 2:00PM and ending at 2:03:53 PM (almost 4 minutes). Unique in the nation, since 2012 the sound of community bell ringing has been heard across Hillsborough’s historic district on Bill of Rights Day. In past years, church bells in the belfries of five of the historic churches (Dickerson Chapel AME, First Baptist of Hillsborough, Hillsborough Presbyterian, Hillsborough United Methodist, St. Matthews Episcopal) in Hillsborough’s Historic District have rung at the same time along with the general public, People of all ages, with bells of all sizes, are invited to “bring bells, ring bells” too  in front of the 1845 historic courthouse where there has been a courthouse since Colonial Times when North Carolina was a British Colony to when it became a State and the Bill of Rights first became part of the U. S. Constitution on December 15, 1791 and continues today. The public is invited to “bring bells, ring bells!” and join the bell ringing, too, too! It’s a great way to mark the “last great American holiday” of the Calendar year and gives new meaning to the age old refrain, “Let Freedom Ring!” It’s Short, Fun, Festive, Non Partisan, No Speeches, No parades. We just ring bells! It’s also a great way to experience and understand how long the Bill of Rights has been around. Family Friendly, Meaningful! Since 2012, the only place in the United States that celebrates Bill of Rights Day this way!

Contact: Scott Washington, Public Historian, former Assistant Director of the Orange County Historical Museum, Founder and Organizer of the Bill of Rights Day Bell Ringing event (started 2012)

Website: https://www.facebook.com/December15Bells/