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Commemorations on centenary of Britain's entry into WW1 Commemorations on centenary of Britain's entry into WW1
(35 minutes later)
World leaders are gathering in Belgium for one of a number of ceremonies marking 100 years since Britain joined World War One.World leaders are gathering in Belgium for one of a number of ceremonies marking 100 years since Britain joined World War One.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be at the Liege event, as the Prince of Wales and PM attend a Glasgow service.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be at the Liege event, as the Prince of Wales and PM attend a Glasgow service.
UK buildings from Downing Street to the Blackpool Tower will turn lights off from 22:00 BST to mark the centenary.UK buildings from Downing Street to the Blackpool Tower will turn lights off from 22:00 BST to mark the centenary.
The public can join the switch-off ending at 23:00 - the time Britain declared war on Germany in 1914.The public can join the switch-off ending at 23:00 - the time Britain declared war on Germany in 1914.
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. Prime Minister David Cameron told BBC Breakfast the outbreak of war was "an extraordinary day in Britain's history".
"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." "When you think that almost every family, almost every community was affected, almost a million British people were lost in this war, it is right that even 100 years on, we commemorate it, we think about it and we mark it properly," he said.
It was at 23:00 on 4 August 1914 that Britain entered into one of the costliest conflicts in history, and the fighting continued until 11 November 1918. Analysis
Analysis from Peter Hunt, BBC News Peter Hunt, BBC News
It was the most destructive war that had ever been fought.It was the most destructive war that had ever been fought.
One hundred years on, a consensus among historians and politicians as to why it broke out remains elusive.One hundred years on, a consensus among historians and politicians as to why it broke out remains elusive.
But there is consensus about the human cost and the human sacrifice which will be commemorated across the UK, and in Belgium.But there is consensus about the human cost and the human sacrifice which will be commemorated across the UK, and in Belgium.
The royals, more used to marking the end of a conflict rather than the start, will attend many of the events.The royals, more used to marking the end of a conflict rather than the start, will attend many of the events.
At Glasgow Cathedral, the sometimes-overlooked contribution of former British colonies - now Commonwealth nations - will be remembered.At Glasgow Cathedral, the sometimes-overlooked contribution of former British colonies - now Commonwealth nations - will be remembered.
In Belgium, where the invasion by Germany is etched in the collective memory, the emphasis will be on reconciliation.In Belgium, where the invasion by Germany is etched in the collective memory, the emphasis will be on reconciliation.
And at Westminster Abbey, in the evening, the last moments of peace before the British Empire entered the war will be reflected upon during a candlelit vigil.And at Westminster Abbey, in the evening, the last moments of peace before the British Empire entered the war will be reflected upon during a candlelit vigil.
There'll be many more such events between now and 2018.There'll be many more such events between now and 2018.
All are designed, according to the government, to improve our understanding of the causes, conduct and consequences of World War One.All are designed, according to the government, to improve our understanding of the causes, conduct and consequences of World War One.
Throughout the war almost 900,000 people lost their lives fighting for the British army.Throughout the war almost 900,000 people lost their lives fighting for the British army.
As well as Prince Charles and Mr Cameron, 1,400 guests including military officials and senior politicians are expected at the national service of commemoration taking place at Glasgow Cathedral at 10:00 BST. The day's events include:
Prince Harry will be in Folkestone, Kent, where a parade will mark the route millions of soldiers took as they marched to the harbour to embark on their journey to France. He will unveil a memorial arch in their memory and lay a wreath.
'Candle burning'
A remembrance service taking place in Liege, Belgium, will be attended by world leaders and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
And in the evening the duke and duchess will move on to the St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons.
The cemetery is of particular significance as an equal number of both German and British soldiers are buried there. Among them lies Private John Parr, who was the first British soldier killed on the Western Front, and Maurice James Dease who was the first recipient of the Victoria Cross in WW1.
Later, Westminster Abbey will hold a candle-lit vigil service of prayer to coincide with the exact time Britain's declaration of war was announced.
Between 22:00 and 23:00 BST, the Royal British Legion's "Lights Out" event will see households, businesses and public buildings across the UK turn out their lights to leave a single candle or light burning.Between 22:00 and 23:00 BST, the Royal British Legion's "Lights Out" event will see households, businesses and public buildings across the UK turn out their lights to leave a single candle or light burning.
The event was inspired by the words of wartime Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, who said on the eve of WW1: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time."The event was inspired by the words of wartime Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, who said on the eve of WW1: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time."
Tower Bridge, the Eden Project in Cornwall, the headquarters of the Football Association and the Imperial War Museums in London and Salford are among the other buildings taking part in the event.Tower Bridge, the Eden Project in Cornwall, the headquarters of the Football Association and the Imperial War Museums in London and Salford are among the other buildings taking part in the event.
The St Symphorien cemetery is of particular significance as an equal number of both German and British soldiers are buried there. Among them lies Private John Parr, who was the first British soldier killed on the Western Front, and Maurice James Dease who was the first recipient of the Victoria Cross in WW1.
Elsewhere, 888,246 ceramic poppies are being placed in the dry moat at the Tower of London, one for each soldier who died fighting for Britain and its colonies in WW1.Elsewhere, 888,246 ceramic poppies are being placed in the dry moat at the Tower of London, one for each soldier who died fighting for Britain and its colonies in WW1.
The installation by artist Paul Cummins is entitled Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red and will be unveiled on Tuesday.The installation by artist Paul Cummins is entitled Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red and will be unveiled on Tuesday.
On Sunday, the French and German presidents commemorated the 100th anniversary of Germany's declaration of war on France on 3 August 1914.On Sunday, the French and German presidents commemorated the 100th anniversary of Germany's declaration of war on France on 3 August 1914.
How will you be commemorating the centenary? What are your recollections of family members who took part in the war? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How will you be commemorating the centenary? What are your recollections of family members who took part in the war? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
If you have personal images from World War One you would like to share with the BBC, you can email them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.If you have personal images from World War One you would like to share with the BBC, you can email them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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