The Flawed Bell Arrives From England
The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is one of the most famous symbols of American independence, known especially for its large crack. But how did it crack?
Although it came to symbolize American independence, the Liberty Bell actually came from England. Isaac Norris, the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, ordered the bell from the Whitechapel Foundry in London in 1751 for the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall). When tested, the bell immediately cracked.
Metalworkers John Pass and John Stow melted down the bell and added copper to make it less brittle. Unfortunately, they added too much copper, ruining the bell’s toll. It was recast again but still didn’t satisfy Norris. Nevertheless, the bell was hung at the Pennsylvania State House with the inscription, “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
In the final decades of the 18th century, the Liberty Bell marked important historical events. It rang for the meeting of the First Continental Congress in 1774 and the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775. However, it didn’t ring during the Revolutionary War as it was hidden beneath the floorboards of a church in Allentown to protect it from the British.
How Did The Liberty Bell Crack?
It’s difficult to know exactly when the Liberty Bell first started cracking, but its final crack appeared in the 1840s. Metalworkers widened a hairline crack on the bell to prevent further damage before the 115th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. However, this repair failed to stop other cracks from forming.
Newspapers lamented the bell’s fate, stating, “The old Independence Bell rang its last clear note…now hangs in the great city steeple irreparably cracked and dumb.” The original crack’s cause is debated. It might have been damaged in 1824 during celebrations for the Marquis de Lafayette’s arrival or during a fire alarm. Another theory suggests it was damaged at Chief Justice John Marshall’s funeral in 1835. However, no newspapers mentioned any damage to the bell at the funeral.
How The Cracked Liberty Bell Became A Symbol
Despite its flaws, the Liberty Bell became an important American symbol. It wasn’t called the Liberty Bell until the 1830s, when its cracks likely started forming. In the late 1830s, abolitionist publications tied the bell to the abolition movement by referencing its famous inscription.
After the Civil War, the Liberty Bell went on a national tour, solidifying its place in American history. It was used by various groups, including female suffragettes, as a powerful symbol of liberty. Today, the Liberty Bell is displayed in Philadelphia, crack and all.
The story of the Liberty Bell reminds us of the ongoing American desire to “form a more perfect Union.” Its crack symbolizes the struggles and imperfections of the nation, making it an enduring symbol of unity and freedom.