On this day in history, July 8, the Liberty Bell rang from its tower in Philadelphia, announcing the oral reading of the official Declaration of Independence [1].
In 1751, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s original constitution, the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly ordered a bell to be constructed. After being cracked during a test and recast twice, the bell hung from the State House steeple in June 1753. It rang to call the Pennsylvania Assembly or summon people for special announcements and events. It also rang on essential occasions.
First Reading
On July 8, 1776, the bell, now known as the “Liberty Bell,” rang out from the tower of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. This summoned citizens to the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Delegates to the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776. However, the bell did not ring until the Declaration returned from the printer on July 8.
A year earlier, in April 1775, the bell rang to announce the battles of Lexington and Concord at the beginning of the American Revolution. Nonetheless, its most famous tolling was on July 8, 1776, when it summoned Philadelphia citizens for the first reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Saving The Bell
As the British advanced toward Philadelphia in 1777, the bell was removed from the city and hidden in Allentown to save it from being melted down by the British and used to make cannons. After the British defeat in 1781, the bell was returned to Philadelphia, the nation’s capital, from 1790 to 1800.
Other Ringings
In addition to marking essential events, the bell tolled annually on February 22 to celebrate George Washington’s birthday and the Fourth of July.
Large Crack
Many attribute the large, well-known crack in the bell to the tolling for the United States Chief Justice John Marshall’s funeral in 1835. In 1846, the crack expanded to its present size while being used to mark Washington’s birthday. After that date, it was regarded as unsuitable for ringing, but it was still ceremoniously tapped on occasion to commemorate important events. On June 6, 1944, when Allied forces invaded France towards the end of WWII, the sound of the bell’s dulled ring was broadcast by radio across the United States.
Currently, over one million visitors visit the Liberty Bell each year.
Notes:
- ^ {Liberty Bell tolls to announce Declaration of Independence {$\vert$} July 8, 1776 {$\vert$} HISTORY} (go back ↩)
