World Peace Bell (Newport, Kentucky) facts for kids
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 66,000 lb (30,000 kg) |
| Diameter: | 12 feet (3.7 m) |
| Material: | 80% copper, 20% tin |
| Yoke: | 16,512 pounds (7,490 kg) |
| Clapper: | 6,878 pounds (3,120 kg) |
| Location: | Newport, Kentucky, United States |
| Casting Date: | December 11, 1998 |
| Musical note: | A |
The World Peace Bell is a giant, special bell. It was made to celebrate the start of the 21st century. This amazing bell rang for the very first time on January 1, 2000, right at midnight! It is a symbol for everyone around the world. It was created through a big team effort. People and groups from the United States and France worked together.
The bell was officially dedicated on December 31, 1999. This big event happened in its home city of Newport, Kentucky. The World Peace Bell has important words carved into it. These words are inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration lists basic rights that all people should have. The bell also shows pictures of important moments from the last thousand years.
This huge bell is a traditional Western-style bell. It swings to make its sound. It weighs a massive 30,000 kilograms (about 66,000 pounds)! That's like 10 elephants! It is also 3.7 meters (12 feet) wide. For several years, until 2006, it was the biggest working swinging bell ever made. While it's the largest bell dedicated to peace worldwide, it's different from the many Japanese peace bells found in other countries.
Contents
The World Peace Bell: A Global Symbol
Building a Bell for Peace
In 1997, there was a plan to build a huge tower. This tower would have been 1400 feet tall. The World Peace Bell was meant to hang inside it. It would have been the largest of 85 bells in a carillon. At first, people called it "The Millennium Bell." Later, the plans changed. They decided on a smaller tower and a museum instead.
The Verdin Company helped manage this big project in the U.S. On December 11, 1998, the bell was cast. This date was special because it was the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The casting happened in Nantes, France. It took place at a factory that usually makes ship propellers. Experts from Fonderie Paccard, a famous French bell-making company, watched closely.
The main person behind this bell was Pierre Paccard. He was a very experienced bell maker. He worked with his sons, Philippe and Cyril Paccard. They also had help from Master Founder Miguel Lopez. Together, they made this giant bell.
A Long Journey to Kentucky
The World Peace Bell rang for the first time in Nantes, France. This was on March 20, 1999, during a public event. After that, it began a long trip across the sea. The journey from France to New Orleans, Louisiana, in the U.S. took about a month and a half.
In New Orleans, the bell was part of the city's Fourth of July celebration. Then, it traveled by barge up the Mississippi River and Ohio River. It stopped in 14 cities along the way! Finally, it reached its home in northern Kentucky on August 1, 1999. Its arrival was a big part of the 1999 Tall Stacks Festival. This festival was a major event along the Ohio River.
The Bell's First Rings
The bell's first swing in the U.S. happened on January 1, 2000. It rang exactly at midnight. The bell was struck twelve times. Its powerful sound could be heard up to 25 miles (about 40 kilometers) away!
The part that hits the bell to make it ring is called a striker. This striker is made of cast iron. It was made in Cincinnati, Ohio. A special kind of iron was used. This prevents the striker from damaging the bell when it hits. The striker also lets the bell be chimed without swinging it.
Where is the World Peace Bell Now?
The bell tower and most parts of the Millennium Monument were made by local companies. These companies were near Newport, Kentucky. The World Peace Bell Center used to be at 425 York Street in Newport.
However, in May 2024, city leaders made an announcement. They said the bell was going to be moved from its York Street spot. This was to make space for a new hotel and office buildings. On August 1, 2024, workers carefully moved the bell. They transported it by truck to a temporary location. City leaders are currently hoping to find a good spot along the riverfront. They want to install the bell there permanently in the future.
See also
- Japanese Peace Bell
