Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell was ordered in 1751 for the 50th anniversary of William Penn's Charter of Privileges. It was cast in London by the renewed White chapel Foundry but when it was tested upon arrival in Philadelphia the 2,080-pound bell cracked Philadelphia craftsman had to recast the bell twice in order to give it a melodious sound. The bell rang at the reading of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia but it was hidden in an Allentown church during the years 1777 to 78 for fears the British would melt it down for ammunition. After the war, it tolled for many events including Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown and for George Washington's death. In 1839 a group of Abolitionists inspired by its inscription Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land the inhibition thereof named it the Liberty bell.By then the bell was showing signs of strain. During the celebration in 1846 of George Washington's birthday, it was damaged beyond repair. It was never rung again.