In 1891 the Salvation Army in San Francisco introduced a new idea — a red kettle to raise funds for needy families at Christmas. This highly visible strategy caught on and spread successfully throughout the country, becoming a familiar sign of the season to every Christmas shopper.

To mark the occasion of the Red Kettle Centennial, First Lady Barbara Bush agreed to become honorary Christmas chairperson and officially inaugurate the 1991 centennial year of kettle work. Her presence at the official National Kettle Kick-Off in Washington, DC was accompanied by the National Capital Band, which premiered the specially commisssioned Christmas march, The Bells of Christmas, featured on this recording.