Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American bell of great historic significance. The Liberty Bell is perhaps one of the most prominent symbols associated with the American Revolution and the American Revolutionary War. It is one of the most familiar symbols of independence, nationhood and freedom within the United States, and has become an international icon of liberty. [1]
Its most famous ringing, on July 8, 1776, summoned citizens of Philadelphia for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Previously, it had been rung to announce the opening of the First Continental Congress in 1774 and after the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775.
The Liberty Bell was known as the "Old State House bell" until 1837, when it was adopted by the American Anti-Slavery Society as a symbol of the abolitionist movement. [2] It is today used as a civic symbol of the City of Philadelphia.
Inscription
[edit]The inscription on the Liberty Bell reads as follows:
- PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF LEV. XXV X.
- BY ORDER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENSYLVANIA FOR THE STATE HOUSE IN PHILADA
- PASS AND STOW
- PHILADA
- MDCCLIII
Casting and early history
[edit]The bell was ordered in 1751 by the Pennsylvania Assembly for use in the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. It was cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London and delivered to Philadelphia in late August/early September 1752.
Gallery
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Notes
[edit]- ↑ The Liberty Bell: From Obscurity to Icon. Independence National Historical Park (October 16, 2006). Archived from the original on 2000-04-22. Retrieved on 2006-10-16.
- ↑ Archive copy. Archived from the original on 2010-05-05. Retrieved on 2009-03-30.