The Liberty Bell, forged in the Whitechapel Foundry in London, originally graced the belfry of the Pennsylvania State House in 1753, now recognized as Independence Hall. Its inaugural use resulted in a crack, prompting recasting by Philadelphia artisans John Pass and John Stow, whose names adorn the bell alongside a verse from Leviticus: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof.” Despite repairs, the bell cracked again during a George Washington birthday celebration, remaining silent since. The reasons for its fractures remain a mystery. Initially unnamed, it gained the moniker “Liberty Bell” as abolitionists rallied around it, utilizing it as a symbol in their fight against slavery. Post-Civil War, it toured the nation, fostering unity. Returning to Philadelphia in 1915, it became a global emblem of liberty, drawing crowds from far and wide. Today, the National Park Service ensures millions can glimpse this enduring testament to liberty’s potency.
History
The bell now called the Liberty Bell was cast in the Whitechapel Foundry in the East End of London and sent to the building currently known as Independence Hall, then the Pennsylvania State House, in 1753.It was an impressive looking object, 12 feet in circumference around the lip with a 44-pound clapper Holidays in USA. Inscribed at the top was part of a Biblical verse from Leviticus, “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof.”Unfortunately, the clapper cracked the bell on its first use. A couple of local artisans, John Pass and John Stow, recast the bell twice, once adding more copper to make it less brittle and then adding silver to sweeten its tone. No one was quite satisfied, but it was put in the tower of the State House anyway.
The Bell Today
The Liberty Bell Center was opened in October 2003. From the southern end, the bell is visible from the street 24 hours a day. On every Fourth of July, at 2 pm Eastern time, children who are descendants of Declaration signers symbolically tap the Liberty Bell 13 times while bells across the nation also ring 13 times in honor of the patriots from the original 13 states. More about this ceremony. Each year, the bell is gently tapped in honor of Martin Luther King Day. The ceremony began in 1986 at the request of Dr. King’s widow, Coretta Scott King.
The Bell as Icon
The Liberty Bell’s iconic status was solidified when abolitionists embraced it as a symbol for their cause. Its first association with abolitionism came in 1837, gracing the frontispiece of an edition of Liberty published by the New York Anti-Slavery Society. Abolitionists bestowed the name ‘Liberty Bell’ upon it, referencing its inscription; previously, people simply called it the ‘State House bell. In hindsight, it serves as a poignant metaphor for a nation fractured by divisions of freedom, particularly for its black citizens. The line following “proclaim liberty” from Leviticus reads, “It shall be a jubilee unto you, and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.” Abolitionists interpreted this passage to advocate for the liberation of all slaves and prisoners every 50 years. William Lloyd Garrison’s anti-slavery publication, The Liberator, featured a Boston abolitionist pamphlet containing a poem titled The Liberty Bell, marking the first documented use of the name “Liberty Bell.”
The Bell and the Declaration of Independence
In 1847, George Lippard wrote a fictional story for The Saturday Currier which told of an elderly bellman waiting in the State House steeple for the word that Congress had declared Independence. The story continues that privately he began to doubt Congress’s resolve. Suddenly the bellman’s grandson, who was eavesdropping on the doors of Congress, yelled to him, “Ring, Grandfather! Ring!” This story captivated people, forever linking the Liberty Bell with the Declaration of Independence. Historians doubt the Bell actually rang in 1776, citing the steeple’s poor condition. However, the collective mythology has fixed its association with the Declaration of Independence.
Visiting the Liberty Bell
- At 6th & Chestnut Streets, across from Independence Hall, is the Historic Philadelphia Center, home to the Liberty 360 Show.
- Open daily, 9 am-5 pm
- Admission is free, and visitors do not need tickets.
- Can’t make it in time? Get a hotel room and stay over! Or, you can also see the Liberty Bell from the outside through large glass windows
Visitor Details
The center is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours in the summer. Visitors need tickets to see the Liberty Bell but must go through security to enter the center.