Independence Day
239 years ago on July 4, 1776, America claimed independence from the British and democracy was born. Today thanks to our forefathers we can all celebrate the freedom and spirit of America "land of the free and the home of the brave."
There are many, many shows which chronicle our independence, but today let's go back to a significant chapter in our American history, the creation of probably the most iconic symbol of American independence - the Liberty Bell.
It wasn't the largest of bells, nor was it the heaviest - but it has certainly proven to be one of the most famous. Of all the bells in the world, none has been associated with events of such great importance to humanity.
Its long and colorful history began in the year 1752 in the bell casting foundry of Thomas Lester in London, England...
The order was received from America, for a bell 12 feet in circumference, approximately 7 feet at the crown, to weigh around 2000 pounds, and to be cast with the lettering "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," a Biblical reference from the Book of Leviticus (25:10). The commission was signed by Isaac Norris, a merchant and prominent figure in provincial Pennsylvania.
The bell was cast that summer, and was then accompanied by its maker, Thomas Lester, on the long ocean voyage to America, finally arriving in Philadelphia in August 1752. Norris was concerned that the bell's ring hadn't been sounded before it had been shipped, and rightly so, since after mounting the bell on a stand to test its tone, at the first strike of the clapper, the men were left aghast when the rim of the bell cracked!
There are many conflicting stories as to the reason why it happened. Were the materials used of a poor quality? Was the metal too brittle? Or maybe it was damaged on the long ocean journey?
The job of recasting it was eventually commissioned to two young founders, John Pass and John Stowe, who, after studying the problem carefully, decided to add more copper. The bell's tone suffered for it, and again it cracked a further two times. Finally, they decided upon altering the lettering on the bell, to lessen any weaknesses in the structure.
From 1753 until 1777, the bell was rung to summon the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly, but when the city was threatened with an inevitable British attack, the Liberty Bell was spirited away, and wasn't mounted for ringing again until 1785.
Nobody knows when the bell cracked again. It must have happened some time between 1817 and 1846, although there is no mention of it in any newspapers, until the Philadelphia Public Ledger chronicled the bell’s final peal in a February 1846 story:
"The old Independence Bell rang its last clear note on Monday last in honor of the birthday of Washington and now hangs in the great city steeple irreparably cracked and dumb. It had been cracked before but was set in order of that day by having the edges of the fracture filed so as not to vibrate against each other ... It gave out clear notes and loud, and appeared to be in excellent condition until noon, when it received a sort of compound fracture in a zig-zag direction through one of its sides which put it completely out of tune and left it a mere wreck of what it was."
Today, the Liberty Bell hangs at the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia.
To help you celebrate the 4th of July, America's Day of Independence, Joy and I have put together a selection of shows for your enjoyment, which you will find on the special page linked below.
Independence Day Shows
However you choose to celebrate this holiday weekend, Joy and I hope that you have a great day!
Happy Birthday America!
