A few years ago my husband and I visited Philadelphia because we are history buffs and always wanted to go. The Liberty Bell, however, was not on our bucket list. If the line was too long, we were fine to skip it. We passed it one day. Line too long. The next day, it was short so we went in.
This bell was once a simple state house bell located in what is now called Independence Hall in Philadelphia. It’s interesting that the original bell was made in London and cracked on the first ring. Kind of prophetic. Not to be dissuaded though, a couple of Philadelphian craftsmen melted it down and cast a new bell. Bells played a vital role in the 18th century for calling meetings and announcing news. It was used a lot and about 90 years later, it’s speculated, the bell cracked. In 1846 metal workers enlarged the crack hoping to prevent further damage and to retain its tone. The crack you see is actually the repair attempt. This was not successful and another crack appeared, running from the word stamped on it (an abbreviation for Philadelphia) to another word: Liberty. After that the bell was silent.
The inscription, however, still speaks to many.
“Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof.”
I’m pleased we went to see this iconic piece of American history. It’s interesting, though that this inscription went virtually unnoticed during the Revolutionary War. The National Park Service site says the inscription, chosen in 1751, may have referred to the “50th anniversary of William Penn’s 1701 Charter of Privileges which granted religious liberties and political self-government to the people of Pennsylvania.”
Looking back 250 years, America has not always stood for liberty for all. It’s a high ideal and hopefully we will carry it forward as the people of Philadelphia hoped. I never want to take our liberty for granted and have great respect for all who have fought for it.
Ring it, till the world have heard,
And felt, at length, and felt, at length;
Till every living soul be stirred,
And clothed with strength.-from The Liberty Bell
by H. R. H. Moore
(1844)
