Friday, September 20, 2024

National 1778 Liberty Bell

July 8, 1776, The Liberty Bell became a monument symbolic of American independence and represents freedom from oppression.

Here’s a bit of history.

1751. To commemorate the 50-year anniversary of Pennsylvania’s original constitution, the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly ordered the bell to be constructed.
When the 2,000-pound copper-and-tin bell was cast, it cracked during a test.

June 1753. After being recast twice, the bell was hung from the Pennsylvania State House steeple.

1763. The British government enacted new taxes in the 13 British colonies. That caused a lot of resistance by the colonists.

1775. England’s monarchy claimed the 13 Colonies.

April 7, 1775. British Army activity suggested troop movements. Joseph Warren sent Paul Revere to warn the Massachusetts Provincial Congress.

April 18, 1775. The bell tolled. The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere alerted the American colonial militia to the approach of British forces.  

April 19, 1775. British troops of the Kingdom of Great Britain arrived in Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy (present-day Arlington), and Cambridge. This was the first armed attack on the 13 colonies. It marked the beginning of the 1775 – 1783 American Revolutionary War.
 
July 4, 1776 The delegates to the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and sent the text to the printer.

July 8, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was back from the printer, and the bell tolled. That was the first time colonists heard the clang clang clang of the bell. It was a call to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

1861-1865. The great bell was named “The Liberty Bell” by anti-slavery advocates as a symbol of their cause during the Civil War.

1865 The 13, 14 and 15th Civil War amendments were adopted for the benefit of American citizen freed slaves.

1886. Whether a coincidence or not, the French sent the  Statue of Liberty to the United States. The gift was a two-fold tribute to freedom: (1) the 100th anniversary of America’s independence, as well as, (2) freedom from slavery as an outcome of America’s Civil War.

The Pennsylvania State House is now known as Independence Hall as another tribute to freedom.

According to History.com, although cracked, the Liberty Bell tolled for important occasions.

In 1846 the crack expanded to its present size while in use to mark George Washington’s birthday.

After that date, it was regarded as unsuitable for ringing, but it was still ceremoniously tapped on occasion to commemorate select events.

The bell is now displayed in the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia. ///