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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 have gathered 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 are 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 told BBC Breakfast the outbreak of war was "an extraordinary day in Britain's history".Prime Minister David Cameron told BBC Breakfast the outbreak of war was "an extraordinary day in Britain's history".
"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."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.
Throughout the war almost 900,000 people lost their lives fighting for the British army. The Queen will not attend any of the major ceremonies, but will pay her respects at a service in Crathie Kirk near Balmoral in Scotland. The Duke of Edinburgh will attend a ceremony at Sandringham Church in Norfolk.
About 17 million soldiers and civilians were killed between 1914 and 1918.
AnalysisAnalysis
Peter Hunt, BBC NewsPeter 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 human sacrifice which will be commemorated across the UK and in Belgium.But there is consensus about the human cost and human sacrifice which will be commemorated across the UK and in Belgium.
The royals, more used to marking the end of a conflict, will attend many of the events.The royals, more used to marking the end of a conflict, 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 WW1.All are designed, according to the government, to improve our understanding of the causes, conduct and consequences of WW1.
The day's events begin in Liege, Belgium, where 50 heads of state are gathering for a service to mark the invasion of Belgium.The day's events begin in Liege, Belgium, where 50 heads of state are gathering for a service to mark the invasion of Belgium.
French President Francois Hollande and Prince William will be among those giving speeches.French President Francois Hollande and Prince William will be among those giving speeches.
Other events being held throughout the day include: Other commemorations being held throughout the day include:
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, 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.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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