International Town Criers Day

International Town Criers Day is celebrated on the second Monday of July, honouring one of history's more colourful occupations. Long before smartphones buzzed, newspapers landed on doorsteps, or anyone thought to post an announcement online, communities relied on a single individual with a loud voice, a sturdy pair of lungs, and a handbell. The town crier, sometimes known as the bellman, served as the official messenger for the Crown or the local council, delivering everything from royal proclamations to market news and civic announcements. Before speaking, they would ring their bell to gather an audience, then launch into the wonderfully theatrical cry of, "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!"—an old Norman French expression meaning, in effect, "Listen up!" It's easy to smile at the idea today, but for centuries the town crier was the closest thing a community had to live breaking news. If you wanted to know what was happening, you didn't refresh a screen, you listened for the bell. International Town Criers Day celebrates that enduring tradition and the remarkable men and women who continue to keep this lively piece of history alive at civic events, festivals, and ceremonies around the world. #towncrier #internet #news