It has been said that the Liberty Bell is like our democracy, in that it is "fragile and imperfect, but endures." The bell has become an international symbol of freedom and attracts hordes of visitors from around the country -- and the world.

Interestingly, the Liberty Bell, which was cast in 1751, was originally called the State House Bell. It was rung to beckon Philadelphians to Independence Square for the first reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. But it didn't crack then. Instead, it slowly cracked over a period of years, was repaired and then cracked again to be silenced forever in 1846.

Under usual circumstances, a bell that no longer rings is taken down from the belfry, melted down and used for other purposes. In this case, however, a group of Abolitionists, inspired by the bell's inscription, which reads "to proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," rechristened it the "Liberty Bell" and publicized its role in our nation's birth as part of their argument that all Americans -- including slaves -- should be free.

For years the Liberty Bell was on view in a case in Independence Hall. In 1976 it was moved to a modern, glass-walled building as part of the celebration of the nation's Bicentennial. There was almost universal dislike for the bell's pavilion from the very beginning, though, and the original pavilion was soon replaced with the larger Liberty Bell Center, which accommodates exhibitions about the notion of liberty the bell symbolizes, and the bell's place in history. Security has become tight in recent years, so don't be surprised by the long lines to pass through the security screening.

Getting There
Admission to the Liberty Bell Center is free, and open from 9 to 5 daily. For detailed driving directions, the latest security procedures, and other logistical information, please see the write-up of Independence National Historic Park.

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