The Liberty Bell is a symbol of our nation’s independence, and it dates all the way back to the late 1700s. This beautiful icon is rich with American history, and even non-history buffs will appreciate its inspiring story. Here are a few key facts about the Liberty Bell.
The bell was originally cast in 1751.
The Pennsylvania colonists were so pleased that William Penn gave them the freedom to choose their own religion that the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly ordered the bell for the State House.
The original bell cracked and had to be replaced.
The first bell was cast in England, but cracked soon after arriving in Philadelphia. Two local craftsmen cast a new bell in 1753 out of metal from the original.
The Liberty Bell traveled around the country on tours.
In the late 1800s, the bell was such a symbol of freedom that it traveled around the U.S. to fairs and expositions to help unite the people after the Civil War. It returned to Philadelphia in 1915.
The bell weighs approximately 2,000 pounds.
It is made of 70% copper, 25% tin, and traces of lead, gold, silver, zinc, and arsenic. It still uses its original yoke, which is made of American elm and weighs 100 pounds.
- Liberty Bell Facts [US History]
- The Liberty Bell Center [Visit Philly]
- Liberty Bell Center [National Park Service]
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