Friday, March 13, 2009

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Liberty Bell


When the United States declared its independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, the Liberty Bell rang out in celebration. The 2,000-pound bell already had been in use for almost 25 years at that point. During the Revolutionary War, it was smuggled out to Allentown to avoid capture by the British, but returned to usage after the war.

In 1846, on Washington's birthday, the bell developed a crack so that it could never be used again. However, it became a symbol for liberty around that time. Now the Liberty Bell has its own home, a building on the mall near Independence Hall. Tourists parade by it with regularity now.

By the way, an exact replica of the bell has been made. You can hear how it sounds on line.at ushistory.org.

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