Each evening at 5 p.m. in Washington, D.C., a lone bugler dressed in a World War I U.S. Army uniform steps forward at the National World War I Memorial. As the city hums and traffic passes, the pure, simple notes of “Taps” rise above the noise and drift over the monument. The call lasts only moments, but it holds centuries of symbolism.
This daily ceremony began on May 24, 2021, and has continued every night since. Thanks to the support of veterans’ organizations and private donors, it is intended to continue in perpetuity—a lasting tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who fought in “the war to end all wars.”
https://doughboy.org/daily-taps/
An Evening Call
Although this ceremony feels uniquely American, the idea of marking the evening with a horn, bugle, or trumpet call is deeply rooted in human culture. Across history and civilization, the call of a horn has signaled the setting of the sun, the end of the day, or the promise of renewed safety until morning.
The sounding of a bugle or horn at dusk is now a practice shared by nations at the following locations around the world. Though the melodies differ, the intent is always the same: to honor those who served, to signal peace, and to keep vigil through the night.
First sounded in the Union Army camps of the American Civil War, “Taps” has since become the United States’ final call of respect—used at every military funeral and base across the nation.
Here are places where an evening bugle call is sounded around the world:
Martinsville, Indiana, United States- Taps on the Square. Since December 2012, a bugler has sounded Taps each Friday evening at the Morgan County Veterans Memorial Park in Martinsville, IN. This is a weekly program to honor all U.S. Veterans.
https://www.indianaspiritof45.org/about-us
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, United States – At the Soldiers’ Monument in the Gettysburg National Cemetery, “Taps” is sounded each evening between Memorial Day and Labor Day as part of the 100 Nights of “Taps” program, sponsored by the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania and the National Park Service. This program started in 2016 and is well attended each summer evening.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472479932776324
Ypres, Belgium – In the small Flemish city of Ypres, devastated during World War I, residents have sounded “The Last Post” every evening under the Menin Gate since 1928. The towering memorial, engraved with the names of nearly 55,000 British Commonwealth soldiers missing before August 16, 1917, was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and inaugurated by Field Marshal Lord Plumer. That night, the haunting call of the bugle inspired local citizens—led by Police Superintendent Pierre Vandenbraambussche—to ensure it would sound every evening in gratitude to those who never returned. The ceremony, organized by the volunteer Last Post Association, continues to this day.
https://www.tapsbugler.com/last-post-at-the-menin-gate/
Canberra, Australia – The daily Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial began in 2013 as a solemn tribute to Australians who have lost their lives in service. Each evening, a name from the Roll of Honor is read, a story of the individual’s life and service is shared, and the national anthem and piper’s lament precede the final bugle call. Established in 1925, the memorial serves as a museum, shrine, and living space of remembrance—ensuring that the end of each day brings reflection across generations.
https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/last-post-ceremony
London, England – At Britain’s historic Tower of London, a 700‑year‑old ritual called the Ceremony of the Keys takes place every night at 10 p.m. The event, which began under King Edward III, marks the formal locking of the Tower gates. In the early 19th century, the tradition was enhanced by the addition of a bugler sounding “The Last Post”, bringing the ceremony to its solemn close. Even amid wartime bombings, the ritual has never been missed.
https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/the-ceremony-of-the-keys/
Kraków, Poland – The Hejnał Mariacki has been played from the tower of St. Mary’s Basilica every hour for centuries. The call, sounded four times (in each of the cardinal directions), ends abruptly—its broken cadence memorializing a 13th‑century trumpeter who was struck by an enemy arrow while warning the city of a Mongol invasion. The noon performance is broadcast daily across Poland and the world, symbolizing both vigilance and resilience.
https://krakow.travel/en/artykul/116/the-legend-of-the-bugle-call-from-st-marys
Helsinki, Finland
Every summer evening, a beautiful tradition called the Suomenlinna Taptoe takes place on the fortress island of Suomenlinna in Helsinki, Finland. At 9:00 p.m., a trumpet bugle call echoes high from the Suomenlinna Church tower and out over the sea fortress to signal the end of the day. If the weather is nice, guest trumpet players will often perform their own personal music at around 8:50 p.m., just before playing the official call. This historic performance symbolizes the arrival of night and serves as a peaceful reminder for everyone to rest.
The author had the honor of sounding the American Tattoo and Taps there in 2017
Ripon, England – In the North Yorkshire city of Ripon, a bugler sounds a call at 9 p.m. each night—a tradition dating back more than 1,100 years. King Alfred the Great, visiting Ripon in the 9th century, granted the town a Royal Charter represented by a posthorn known as “The Charter Horn,” which still resides in the Town Hall today. To keep the town vigilant against Viking raids, Alfred urged the people to appoint a Wakeman to patrol during the night. The Wakeman would blow the horn at all four corners of the market cross each evening to signal the setting of the watch. The role has evolved over time, and the horn continues to symbolize civic duty, safety, and trust—a living tradition that endures to this day.
If you know of any other evening bugle traditions, please send me a note at jari@TapsBugler.com
I’ve been to Ypres for Last Post while standing underneath the memorial surrounded by the names while I was able to look across the archway at the particular name I’d come looking for on that trip. Amazing.