The sheer weight of the bells excluded hanging them in the Capitol.   Several alternate locations were suggested.   In January, 1978, Nancy Hanks, who had successfully lead the fight to save the Old Post Office Building, suggested that an appropriate home for the bells might be the tower of the Old Post Office.  The bells were formally presented to the United States Congress during a ceremony on April 19th, 1983, the 200th anniversary of the cessation of the hostilities between the two countries.   The Congress bells are rung on national holidays, the opening and closing of Congress and other occasions when Congress requests.  The bell ringers are members of  Washington Ringing Society.