7 July 2005 London bombings memorials and services

Following the events of the 7 July 2005 London bombings, the United Kingdom and other nations have devised many ways to honour the dead and missing. Most of these memorials included moments of silence, candle-lit vigils, and laying of flowers at the bombing sites. Foreign leaders have also honoured the dead by ordering their flags to be half-staffed, signed books of condolences at embassies of the United Kingdom, and issued messages of support and condolences to the British people.

United Kingdom

*The government ordered the Union Flag to be flown at half-mast on July the 8th. [(July 7, 2005). " [http://www.utvlive.com/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=62372&pt=n| Union Flag to Fly at Half-Mast] ". UTV. Retrieved September 4, 2007.]
* On July 9, the Bishop of London led prayers for the victims during a service paying tribute to the role of women during World War II.
* A [http://www.mabonline.info/english/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=424 Vigil for the Victims of the London Bombings] was held from 5pm on Saturday 9 July, at Friends Meeting House garden, Euston Road, opposite Euston station, London, UK. The vigil was called by Stop the War Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Muslim Association of Britain.
* A two minute silence for the victims of the bombings was held on July 14, 2005 throughout Europe. [(July 10, 2005). " [http://www.guardian.co.uk/attackonlondon/story/0,16132,1525387,00.html| Europe to Mark Tragedy With Two Minutes of Silence] ". "The Guardian". Retrieved September 4, 2007.]
* On July 14, thousands attended a vigil at 18.00 on Trafalgar Square. After an initial silence there was a series of speakers for the next two hours. Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks speaking of London said: "It has the courage not to give terror the victory of making us angry and in our anger lose the values that make us what we are. Let that courage unite us now." His words were echoed by many of the other speakers.
* A memorial service was held at St Paul's Cathedral, on the 1st November 2005. [(November 1, 2005). " [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4394062.stm| Tributes Paid to Bombing Victims] ". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved September 4, 2007.]
* A two minute silence was held at 12:00 BST on July 7, 2006 across the country to commemorate those who died, or who were affected by the events. [(July 7, 2006). " [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5153678.stm| Nation Remembers July 7 Victims] ". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved September 4, 2007.]
* A permanent memorial is planned. [(February 13, 2006). " [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4707546.stm| July Bomb Memorial Plan Welcomed] ". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved September 4, 2007.]

International

Condolence Books

*NZL In Auckland, New Zealand, Prince William of Wales signed the book of condolence at the British consulate.
*USA In Washington, DC, the U.S. Army band played "God Save the Queen" outside the British Embassy. Dozens of flower bouquets and notes were left at the embassy with messages such as, "Today, we are all British". [(July 7, 2005). " [http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/07/07/us.response/index.html| U.S. raises terror alert for transit systems - Jul 7, 2005] ". CNN.com. Retrieved April 16, 2008.] US President George W. Bush visited the Embassy on July 8, upon his return from the G8 summit, and signed the book of condolence. [(July 8, 2005). " [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/07/20050708-9.html President Signs Book of Condolence at British Embassy] ". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved April 16, 2008.] On July 12, a Detroit Symphony Orchestra brass ensemble played "God Save the Queen" during the pre-game festivities of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Flag Half-staffing

*CAN - All federal government buildings and establishments across Canada, including the Peace Tower, and in the United Kingdom. [(September 1, 2005). " [http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/berne-halfmasting/index_e.cfm| Half Masting of the Flag] ". Canadian Heritage. Retreieved September 4, 2007.]
*NZL - Prime Minister Helen Clark requested that flags in New Zealand fly at half mast the day following the bombings. [(July 8, 2005). " [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/596569| No Known New Zealand Casualties in London] ". tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved September 4, 2007.]
*FRA - President Jacques Chirac requested that flags in France fly at half mast for 3 days.

Moments of Silence

* - The European Parliament held a minute of silence to mourn the victims of the explosions.
*POL - The Polish Parliament, Sejm lower house observed a moment of silence.
*IRL - The Irish Government organised a two minute silence [(July 12, 2005). " [http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=199&docID=2085| Government Calls for Two Minutes Silence] ". Department of the Taoiseach. Retrieved September 4, 2007.] on Thursday July 14th, at the same time as in the United Kingdom.

Services

*ESP - "God Save the Queen" was played at the changing of the royal guard at Plaza de Oriente in Madrid in memorial to the victims of the attack. The ceremony was attended by the British Ambassador, and members of the Spanish Royal Family. After the Madrid train bombings, the UK hosted a similar ceremony at Buckingham Palace. [(July 13, 2005). " [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4679293.stm| Spain Royal Guard Honours London] ". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved September 4, 2007.]
*AUS - "God Save the Queen" was sung at a service at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney. Prime Minister John Howard read a bible passage and Phillip Jensen gave a sermon on the problem of evil and what the Bible says about this.

References