Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence

Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for NonviolencePhiladelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for NonviolencePhiladelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence
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King Holiday Events
  • National Bell Ceremony
  • 2023 Nat'l Bell Ceremony
  • Former Nat'l Bell Ringers
  • Awards & Benefit Luncheon
  • 40th Annual Luncheon
  • Sponsorships/Sponsors
For Families in Need
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  • Help for Christmas
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VOLUNTEERS

Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence

Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for NonviolencePhiladelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for NonviolencePhiladelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence
Home
About
King Holiday Events
  • National Bell Ceremony
  • 2023 Nat'l Bell Ceremony
  • Former Nat'l Bell Ringers
  • Awards & Benefit Luncheon
  • 40th Annual Luncheon
  • Sponsorships/Sponsors
For Families in Need
  • Kids Serving Kids
  • Food for Families
  • Help for Christmas
  • Other Services
College for Teens
Sponsorships
Gallery
Lest We Forget
Contact
Resources
  • Workshops
  • Other Resources
VOLUNTEERS
More
  • Home
  • About
  • King Holiday Events
    • National Bell Ceremony
    • 2023 Nat'l Bell Ceremony
    • Former Nat'l Bell Ringers
    • Awards & Benefit Luncheon
    • 40th Annual Luncheon
    • Sponsorships/Sponsors
  • For Families in Need
    • Kids Serving Kids
    • Food for Families
    • Help for Christmas
    • Other Services
  • College for Teens
  • Sponsorships
  • Gallery
  • Lest We Forget
  • Contact
  • Resources
    • Workshops
    • Other Resources
  • VOLUNTEERS

  • Home
  • About
  • King Holiday Events
    • National Bell Ceremony
    • 2023 Nat'l Bell Ceremony
    • Former Nat'l Bell Ringers
    • Awards & Benefit Luncheon
    • 40th Annual Luncheon
    • Sponsorships/Sponsors
  • For Families in Need
    • Kids Serving Kids
    • Food for Families
    • Help for Christmas
    • Other Services
  • College for Teens
  • Sponsorships
  • Gallery
  • Lest We Forget
  • Contact
  • Resources
    • Workshops
    • Other Resources
  • VOLUNTEERS

National Bell Ringing Ceremony

History

President Reagan signs on August 27, 1984 legislation providing for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission, to last for five years, with an option to renew for another five years.  First meeting of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission, November 1984.  Mrs. King was unanimously elected chairperson and Former governor of New Jersey, Thomas Kean was named vice-chair.  January 20, 1986, the first national King Holiday was observed.  The King Holiday Commissioners were sworn in by federal district Judge Horace Ward.  


The Commission was given two specific congressional mandates: first, to encourage appropriate ceremonies and activities throughout the U.S. relating to the observation of the federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.; and second to provide advice and assistance to federal, state and local governments and to private organizations with respect to the observance of such a holiday.  One such activity was a bell ringing ceremony requested by Mrs. King.  


Mrs. King requested that a bell ringing ceremony be held in Philadelphia at Independence Hall to launch the celebration of the holiday.  Ronald Reagan’s HUD Secretary, Samuel Pierce was the first bell ringer.  For the first three years of celebrating the holiday the Commission served as sponsors of the bell ringing ceremony. Thereafter, the Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence became the sponsor of the ceremony, and has carried on the tradition ever since.  The holiday is now observed by the ringing of the Liberty Bell as a Symbol of freedom and justice.  


The Association currently assumes all organizing and financial responsibility for the bell ringing ceremony, but will seek and support legislative initiatives for federal funding of this national observance.  

Learn More

Find out more

2022 national bell ringing ceremony Video footage

2022 National Bell Ringing Ceremony

Mistress of Ceremony, Natasha Brown, CBS-3 News Anchor

2022 national bell ringing ceremony

Gregory E. Deavens, President and CEO, Independence

Honorary National Bell Ringer

Copyright © 2023 Philadelphiamlk - All Rights Reserved.

  • 2023 Nat'l Bell Ceremony
  • 40th Annual Luncheon
  • Sponsorships/Sponsors

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