Ah the Liberty Bell, a Philadelphia attraction that garners attention from thousands upon thousands of visitors every year which is amazing considering it has a huge crack and it doesn’t even ring! It does, however, have a lot of history attaching it forever to the birth of our nation. This Phasinating Philly Phacts is all about that bell!
- The Liberty Bell was ordered in 1751 by the Pennsylvania Assembly to honor the 50th Anniversary of William Penn’s “Charter of Privileges” which took place in 1701. *For more info on our founder William Penn check out his Phasinating Philly Phacts!
- The Bell rang out in the tower of Independence Hall on July 8th 1776 to bring the townspeople out to hear as John Nixon read the Declaration of Independence.
- There are misspellings on the Bell! The first quote engraved on the Liberty Bell is from the Book of Leviticus 25:10 and it reads, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all inhabitants thereof.” The second quote says “By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania for the State House in Philada.” That’s right, Pennsylvania is actually spelled wrong though it is said that this may have been the spelling used for the state at that time.
- Since William Penn’s charter was dedicated to creating a land of freedom and the Liberty Bell was ordered to honor that, the bell became a symbol for the Abolitionist movement traveling throughout the land “proclaiming Liberty” and inspiring those fighting to free slaves.
- The Bell arrived in Philadelphia in September of 1752 and started to crack shortly there after. The cracking was thought to be flaws in the casting or the materials being brittle. Two Philadelphia foundry workers named John Pass and John Stow melted down and recast the bell. An ounce and a half of copper to a pound of the old bell was added to try and make it less brittle. The extra weight, however, made the Bell too heavy and no one liked the tone of the Bell. After one more unsuccessful attempt at recasting a new bell was ordered and that one still displeased the town so the “Liberty Bell” remained the original.
- The Liberty Bell was said to have tolled many times to summon announcements but the most famous ringing of the Bell was in 1776 to announce our Independence.
- In October 1777 the British invaded Philadelphia and all bells were removed including the Liberty Bell since they knew if left they would be melted down and used for cannon. It was hidden in the floorboards of the Zion Reformed Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
- Though many people remember being able to touch the Liberty Bell when they were children visiting the city, it is now kept under close watch due to a few crazies attempting to make another crack! You can visit the Liberty Bell Center which has been open since 2003 and is located right across the street from the Independence Visitors Center at 6th and Market Streets.
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