LIBERTY BELL

Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the most prominent symbols of the American Revolutionary War. It is a familiar symbol of independence within the United States and has been described as an icon of liberty and justice.

Its most famous ringing occurred on July 8, 1776, to summon citizens of Philadelphia for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Historians today consider this highly doubtful, as the steeple in which the bell was hung had deteriorated significantly by that time

The bell had also been rung
to announce the opening of the First Continental Congress in 1774
after the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775.

"Independence Bell"
The Liberty Bell was known as the "Independence Bell" or the "Old Yankee's Bell" until 1837, when it was adopted by the American Anti-Slavery Society as a symbol of the abolitionist movement.

The inscription on the Liberty Bell
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
MDCCLII

The source of the inscription is Leviticus 25:10, which reads "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family."

Recasting and hanging
While a replacement from Whitechapel was ordered, the bell was recast by John Dock Pass and John Stow of Philadelphia, whose surnames appear inscribed on the bell. Pass and Stow added copper to the composition of the alloy used to cast the bell, and the tone of the bell proved unsatisfactory. The two recast the bell yet again, restoring the correct balance of metal, and this third bell was hung in the steeple of the State House in June 1753.

19th century

During the 19th century, the bell tolled at the death of Alexander Hamilton (1804), Lafayette's return to Philadelphia (1824), the deaths of Adams and Jefferson (1826), Washington's 100th birthday celebration (1832) and the deaths of Lafayette (1834), John Marshall (1835) and William Henry Harrison (1841).

Reference
"The Liberty Bell: From Obscurity to Icon". Independence National Historical Park. October 16, 2006. http://www.cr.nps.gov/nR/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/36liberty/36liberty.htm.
The spelling "Pensylvania" was an accepted variant at the time.
"THE LIBERTY BELL". www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk. http://www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk/liberty.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
The Liberty Bells of Pennsylvania, Rev. John Baer Stoudt, 1927
Liberty Bell Timeline