About this place

The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American history located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was cast in the Whitechapel Foundry in London, England in 1752. Weighing approximately 2,080 pounds (943 kilograms), the bell's inscription reads: "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof." Originally intended to hang in the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell is made of bronze, composed of around 70% copper and 25% tin. It is believed that the bell cracked during a test ringing shortly after its arrival in Philadelphia. Throughout the American Revolutionary War, the Liberty Bell became a symbol of freedom and independence. It was rung to mark significant events, including the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776. The exact cause of the bell's crack remains uncertain.