What phrase is inscribed on the United States Liberty Bell?

The United States Liberty Bell is inscribed with the phrase “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof.”

The inscription comes from Leviticus 25:10, a biblical passage about proclaiming liberty throughout the land. The bell was cast in London in 1752 for the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. It cracked during an early test and was recast in Philadelphia.

The bell’s famous large crack developed during the nineteenth century, and it has not been rung since the late 1840s. Its association with American independence grew over time rather than arising from a single documented ringing on July 4, 1776.

The Liberty Bell became an abolitionist symbol in the nineteenth century, when reformers used its language about liberty in arguments against slavery. It is now displayed in Philadelphia and remains one of the most recognizable objects connected with the nation’s founding era.