Cast in London, England, in 1752, the Liberty Bell rang when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence and has become a symbol of freedom in the United States. Made for the Pennsylvania State House, the Liberty Bell was ordered by the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1751 to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges. After its arrival in Philadelphia, the Bell cracked. Local craftsmen recast the bell using the metal from the old bell, but this one also proved defective. A third was cast by John Pass and John Stowe. Their names appear on the bell, along with the city, date and an inscription.
As tradition, the bell was rung on every July 4 and on every state occasion until 1846. While not everyone agrees on when the first crack appeared on the Liberty Bell, by 1846 a thin crack began to affect its sound. In order to repair the bell, a slot was carved along the length of the crack that prevented the two sides of the bell from vibrating against each other. Two rivets were inserted in this slot to control the vibration of the two sides, and restored the bell's tonal quality.
Today, the Liberty Bell hangs in Philadelphia at the Liberty Bell Center on Market Street and is still symbolically tapped each July 4.
For information on planning a visit to the Liberty Bell Center , please visit the National Park Service's (NPS) web page.
Please note: Tickets are required for tours of Independence Hall from March 1 to December 31 (except for July 4 and Thanksgiving). Walk-up tickets are available for free on the morning of your visit at the Independence Visitor Center. One person may request up to 10 tickets for a family or small group. Up to 80 tickets may be given to one teacher or guide for organized tours or school groups. Everyone in the group needs a ticket, even infants.
Additional Resources:
- The Liberty Bell Center's Frequently Asked Questions
- The Liberty Bell Center's Information for Kids
- The Liberty Bell Center's Information for Teachers
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