People across the UK are invited to turn off their lights tonight for a moment of shared reflection on the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.
Starting at 10pm, LIGHTS OUT will see many of London’s landmarks darkened, including the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, and the Imperial War Museum.
Local councils, national organisations including the BBC and the Royal British Legion, and places of worship are also among many others participating.
The public are invited to take part by displaying just a single lamp, or candle, at home for one hour until 11pm, the moment Britain declared war on Germany 100 years ago.
Alternatively, there are many collective events being organised around Britain.
The call has been inspired by the words of the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey, on the eve-of-war in August 1914.
Looking out from the windows of the Foreign Office, he observed: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”
LIGHTS OUT has been commissioned as part of 14-18 NOW, the UK’s First World War Centenary cultural programme. More details and guidance can be found here.
Source: 14-18 NOW
Images: Courtesy of 14-18 NOW
Posted by: Peter Alhadeff, Centenary News