Article Summary
Although it is now one of the world’s great icons of freedom, the Liberty Bell wasn’t always a symbolic force. Originally used to call the Pennsylvania Assembly to meetings, the Bell was soon adopted by abolitionists, suffragists, civil rights advocates, Native Americans, immigrants, and war protestors as their symbol. Each year, two million visitors journey to the Bell to ponder its enduring significance.
Humble Beginnings
The Liberty Bell was cast in the Whitechapel Foundry in London and sent to the building currently known as Independence Hall, then the Pennsylvania State House, in 1752. This impressive bell, with a 12-foot circumference around the lip and a 44-pound clapper, was inscribed with part of a Biblical verse from Leviticus: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof.”
However, the clapper cracked the bell on its first use. Local artisans John Pass and John Stow recast the bell twice, adding copper and silver to improve its tone. Though it was never completely satisfactory, the bell was placed in the State House tower.
From 1753 until 1777, despite its crack, the bell rang to call the Pennsylvania Assembly to order. However, structural issues with the bell tower raised concerns about its stability, likely preventing it from ringing during the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776. Recognizing its importance, officials moved the bell to Allentown in 1777 to protect it from British forces, returning it to the State House in 1778.
The exact cause of the first crack in the Liberty Bell remains a mystery, but subsequent uses worsened its condition. In February 1846, a failed repair attempt led to a decision to cease ringing the bell. By this time, however, the bell had gained significant cultural meaning. Abolitionists began using the name “Liberty Bell” during the mid-1830s, solidifying its place in history.
On the Road
Once the Liberty Bell was no longer used as a functioning bell, especially after the Civil War, its symbolic status increased. The Bell went on patriotic tours to various World’s Fairs and international expositions where the United States celebrated its heritage. The first significant journey occurred in January 1885, where it made 14 stops to the World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition in New Orleans.
Additionally, the Liberty Bell participated in the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where John Philip Sousa composed the iconic “Liberty Bell March.” In 1895, it traveled to the Cotton State and International Exposition in Atlanta, and in 1903, it made 49 stops en route to Charlestown, Massachusetts, for the 128th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
This series of excursions continued until 1915 when the Bell undertook an extended journey across the country, stopping at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco and another fair in San Diego. After this extensive tour, it returned to Philadelphia, resting inside Independence Hall for another 60 years, only being moved for fundraising efforts during World War I.
Liberty To Vote
Activists also saw the Liberty Bell as an important symbol in their fight for democratic rights. Women suffragists incorporated the Liberty Bell into their promotional materials as they campaigned for women’s right to vote in America. This further cemented its association with liberty and equality.
No Place Like Home
Following World War I, the Liberty Bell was prominently displayed in the Tower lobby of Independence Hall. As preparations for the bicentennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence in 1976 began, concerns grew that crowds would jeopardize both Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Consequently, a glass-enclosed pavilion was constructed across Chestnut Street to safely house the Bell. On a rainy morning, January 1, 1976, workers moved the Liberty Bell to its new location.
Finally, on October 9, 2003, the Liberty Bell found its new home in a larger center that features an interpretive exhibit about its historical significance. A large window allows visitors to view the Bell with Independence Hall as its backdrop.
For more information about visiting Philadelphia and seeing the Liberty Bell, please refer to resources dedicated to promoting tourism in the area.
