Malcolm Rivera
The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence. It is located in Philadelphia, across the street from Independence Hall in the Liberty Bell Center, in Independence National Historical Park. The bell was commissioned in 1752 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly and was cast with the lettering, Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof, a Biblical reference from the Book of Leviticus. The bell has been featured on coins and stamps, and its name and image have been widely used by corporations. The Liberty Bell is not in the Constitution Center, but the National Constitution Center is located just steps away from the Liberty Bell in Historic Philadelphia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current location | Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia |
| Previous names | State House Bell, Old State House Bell |
| Year commissioned | 1752 |
| Year created | 1751 |
| Organization that commissioned the bell | Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly |
| Firm that created the bell | London-based Lester and Pack, later renamed Whitechapel Bell Foundry |
| Cost | £150 13s 8d, including freight to Philadelphia and insurance |
| Inscription | "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof" (Leviticus 25:10) |
| Year the name "Liberty Bell" was first used | 1835 |
| Year the bell last toured | 1915 |
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What You'll Learn
The Liberty Bell's location
The Liberty Bell is located in Philadelphia, in the Liberty Bell Center, which is adjacent to Independence Hall in the Independence National Historical Park. The bell was previously kept in a glass pavilion in the same park before being moved to the Liberty Bell Center in 2003. The Center is a free, must-visit experience with exhibits and history. Millions of visitors come to see the bell each year, positioned in a glass chamber with a view of Independence Hall in the background.
The National Constitution Center is located just steps away from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence and was originally placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. The bell was commissioned in 1752 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from the London-based firm Lester and Pack. The firm was later renamed the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. The bell was cast with the lettering "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof", a Biblical reference from the Book of Leviticus (25:10).
The Liberty Bell was used as a symbol of freedom during the Cold War and was a popular site for protests in the 1960s. It has been featured on coins and stamps, and its name and image have been widely used by corporations. The bell has also been on tour around the United States before World War I. Today, it occasionally gets tapped to mark special occasions.
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The bell's history
The Liberty Bell is one of the most important symbols of freedom and liberty in the US. It is located in the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, just steps away from the National Constitution Center and Independence Hall. The Bell is a popular tourist attraction, with people lining up hundreds of meters to see it.
The Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly ordered the bell from Britain in 1751 to mark the 50-year anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, which served as Pennsylvania's original Constitution. The Bell arrived at Independence Hall, then known as the Pennsylvania State House, in 1753 and was hung in the steeple of the assembly's building. It was originally known as the State House Bell or the Pass and Stow Bell.
The Bell was first cracked in 1752 when it was tested upon its arrival in Philadelphia. Two Philadelphia metalworkers, John Pass and John Stow, melted down the bell and recast it, including an inscription from Leviticus, "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof". The Bell was tested again and while it didn't break, it made a horrible noise, leading to it being recast once more.
The Bell rang to announce the independence of the United States from Great Britain in 1776. It was also rung to mark the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776, although there is no historical documentation to specifically reference this. The Bell was used to alert the public to civic danger or to hear proclamations and was rung for the last time for George Washington's birthday in 1846.
The Bell acquired the name "Liberty Bell" in the late 1830s when it became a symbol of the anti-slavery movement. The precise date the Bell cracked is unknown, but it is thought that a hairline crack developed in the early 1840s, following nearly 90 years of use. The Bell stopped tolling after a second, more damaging crack developed, and no one alive today knows what the sound of the Liberty Bell tolling would have been.
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The crack in the bell
The Liberty Bell, located at the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, has become an iconic symbol of American independence. The bell was commissioned in 1752 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from the London-based firm Lester and Pack, later renamed the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. It was created to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, which served as Pennsylvania's original constitution.
The bell features the inscription, "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," a Biblical reference from the Book of Leviticus. Interestingly, the Liberty Bell was not its original name. It was initially known as the State House Bell, and it wasn't until the 1830s that it acquired its new moniker when it became a symbol of the burgeoning anti-slavery movement.
However, the Liberty Bell is perhaps most famous for its distinctive crack. The exact date and cause of this fracture are the subject of much debate and speculation. One theory suggests that the bell first cracked in 1752 when it was tested upon its arrival in Philadelphia. It is said that the Pennsylvania Assembly blamed the foundry for using a brittle alloy, while the foundry claimed that the bell ringer had struck it improperly. The high-tin content in the bell alloy contributes to its brittleness, and it is possible that the foundry made a mistake in the alloy mixture.
Another story claims that the bell cracked in 1824 during the visit of the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette. Some believe it fractured later that year while tolling to signal a fire. A popular legend also holds that the bell cracked during the funeral of Chief Justice John Marshall in 1835, but newspaper accounts of the funeral make no mention of this incident.
It is generally agreed upon that the bell was significantly damaged by 1846. In February of that year, the city of Philadelphia decided to repair the bell and ring it on George Washington's birthday. Metalworkers attempted to fix an existing fracture and the bell initially tolled clearly, but it soon cracked beyond repair and had to be taken out of service.
Today, the Liberty Bell resides in Philadelphia, where it is occasionally tapped on special occasions. Visitors can view the famous crack at the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historic Park, where it attracts millions of people each year.
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The bell's role in the anti-slavery movement
The Liberty Bell, originally known as the State House Bell, became a symbol of the anti-slavery movement in the late 1830s. The bell was originally commissioned by the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1751 to mark the 50th anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, which served as Pennsylvania's original constitution. The bell features the Bible verse, "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," along with information about the Pennsylvania Assembly and the bell-maker.
The Liberty Bell gained its iconic status in the anti-slavery movement due to its symbolic message of freedom and liberty. The bell's inscription, taken from the Book of Leviticus, resonated with those fighting against slavery and seeking freedom for all. The bell's message of liberty and freedom for "all the inhabitants" was interpreted as a universal call for emancipation and equal rights, regardless of race or social status.
While there is debate about whether the bell rang on July 4, 1776, or July 8, 1776 (the dates of the first Independence Day and the public announcement of the Declaration of Independence, respectively), its symbolic significance remained strong. The bell's location in Philadelphia, the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed, further added to its importance as a symbol of freedom and liberty in the hearts and minds of Americans.
Today, the Liberty Bell resides in the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, where it continues to be a symbol of freedom and a reminder of the nation's founding principles, including the fight against slavery and the pursuit of liberty and justice for all.
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The National Constitution Center
The Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence, is located nearby in the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia. The bell was originally known as the State House Bell and was commissioned in 1752 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly to mark the 50-year anniversary of William Penn's Charter of Privileges, which served as Pennsylvania's original Constitution. The bell is inscribed with the words, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof," a Biblical reference from the Book of Leviticus.
The Liberty Bell has played a significant role in American history and has been associated with various movements, including women's suffrage and civil rights. It was used as a symbol of freedom during the Cold War and served as a gathering place for protests in the 1960s. The bell has been featured on coins and stamps, and its image has been widely used by corporations. Today, it resides in the Liberty Bell Center, where it is occasionally tapped to mark special occasions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Liberty Bell is located in the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, which is just steps away from the National Constitution Center.
The Liberty Bell was originally known as the State House Bell and was commissioned in 1752 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. It was cast with the lettering, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof", a Biblical reference from the Book of Leviticus. The bell was used as a symbol of freedom and has been featured on coins and stamps.
Yes, the Liberty Bell is a free, iconic attraction in Philadelphia that millions of visitors come to see each year. It is located in the Liberty Bell Center, where it is occasionally tapped to mark special occasions.
The National Constitution Center is a museum located in Philadelphia that brings the Constitution to life through interactive programs and exhibits. It is committed to making its facilities, exhibits, and programs accessible and safe for all audiences.
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