Liberty Bell

Market Street between 5th & 6th Streets

The world-famous Liberty Bell makes its permanent residence in Philadelphia, and this national treasure is perhaps the city's most impressive attraction. Located just outside of Independence Hall, in a modest glass shed-like structure, the cracked masterpiece is mounted beautifully at the end of a corridor inside the building.

The Liberty Bell is a worldwide symbol of freedom, and has been adapted by many different causes to suit their specific needs. Its initial purpose was to summon residents of Philadelphia to the State House yard when the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time. It was cast in 1751 and cracked slowly in the years to follow. The large, noticeable crack was actually a controlled drilling procedure used to control the damage that had been done up until that point; unfortunately, it failed and was "retired" in 1846. However, it has been used since then, most notably before the invasion of Normandy in World War II, when it was tapped with a rubber mallet seven times, once for each letter in the world "liberty."

Photo 162, Nov 2003

Liberty Bell

Photo 163, Nov 2003

Liberty Bell

Photo 164, Nov 2003