The lamps go out: Start of First World War commemorated
Today marks 100 years since Britain declared war on Germany and joined the hostilities of the First World War.
Across London, tens of thousands of homes and businesses will mark the occasion by dimming their lights from 10pm until 11pm. It was 11pm on 4 August 1914 when the declaration of war was made.
Some of the City’s biggest firms, including Barclays, Deutsche Bank, UBS and Aberdeen Asset Management, will leave just a single candle or other light source lit in their offices around London to commemorate the occasion. Other buildings turning down their lights include the Houses of Parliament, the Football Association headquarters, the Imperial War Museum, Piccadilly Circus and British embassies around the world.
The government-backed drive, called Lights Out, will be observed around the country and will see homes and businesses turn out their lights to mark the start of the conflict.
The campaign follows the words of former British foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey, who, on the eve of Britain’s entry into the war, reportedly said: “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time.”
Speaking ahead of a number of commemorative events today, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “A hundred years ago today Britain entered the First World War and we are marking that centenary to honour those who served, to remember those who died, and to ensure that the lessons learnt live with us forever. It is right to remember the extraordinary sacrifice of a generation and we are all indebted to them because their most enduring legacy is our liberty.”