The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formerly placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House (now renamed Independence Hall), the bell was commissioned from the London firm of Lester and Pack (today the Whitechapel Bell Foundry) in 1752, and was cast with the lettering (part of Leviticus 25:10) "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." It originally cracked when first rung after arrival in Philadelphia, and was twice recast by local workmen John Pass and John Stow, whose last names appear on the bell. In its early years, the Liberty Bell was used to summon lawmakers to legislative sessions and to alert citizens to public meetings and proclamations.WIKI
No immediate announcement was made of the Second Continental Congress's vote for independence, and thus the bell could not have rung on July 4, 1776, at least not for any reason related to that vote. Bells were rung to mark the reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776, and while there is no contemporary account of the Liberty Bell ringing, most historians believe it was one of the bells rung. After American independence was secured, it fell into relative obscurity for some years. In the 1830s, the bell was adopted as a symbol by abolitionist societies, who dubbed it the "Liberty Bell." It acquired its distinctive large crack sometime in the early 19th century—a widespread story claims it cracked while ringing after the death of Chief Justice John Marshall in 1835.WIKI
Conrad73: No immediate announcement was made of the Second Continental Congress's vote for independence, and thus the bell could not have rung on July 4, 1776, at least not for any reason related to that vote. Bells were rung to mark the reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776, and while there is no contemporary account of the Liberty Bell ringing, most historians believe it was one of the bells rung. After American independence was secured, it fell into relative obscurity for some years. In the 1830s, the bell was adopted as a symbol by abolitionist societies, who dubbed it the "Liberty Bell." It acquired its distinctive large crack sometime in the early 19th century—a widespread story claims it cracked while ringing after the death of Chief Justice John Marshall in 1835.WIKI
Thanks, you and stringman for the info - and love that photo, Conrad. (I'm going put my answer in, but so far no one has picked the one I'm going for... but I'm basing it on the info posted... maybe you didn't vote or maybe I only think I figured it out )
P.S.I saw the Liberty Bell as a teenager when my parents decided to take a sidetrip to the New England area from our bi-annual trip to N. Carolina. Thanks again for the info - John Marshall seems to have been a very respected Chief Justice(even tho the bell cracked ) - my high school(alma mater) is named after him.
I should've divided my posts in 2 like you did, Conrad, even though I didn't have much to write(b/c the OP said after 50 votes/comments ...and I'm waiting in suspense. After all, I didn't win last time )
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When did the Liberty Bell in the USA get its name?(Vote Below)
The answer will be revealed after 50 votes and comments combined.