The Liberty Bell became an enduring symbol of the independence celebrated by America250.
The bell was cast in London in 1752 for the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. It cracked during an early test and was recast in Philadelphia by local founders John Pass and John Stow. Its inscription quotes Leviticus: “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof.”
The bell became associated with American independence during the 19th century, especially as Americans connected its inscription with the Declaration of Independence. The popular story that it rang on July 4, 1776, is not supported by contemporary evidence.
The bell acquired its famous name in the 1830s through abolitionist publications. Today it is displayed in the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, near Independence Hall. Its symbolism extends beyond the Revolution and has been used by movements advocating abolition, civil rights, and equality.