The Liberty Bell, originally known as the State House Bell due to its location at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, is an American landmark. Cast in 1715, the bell hung during the Second Continental Congress in 1776, although legends of it ringing on July 4th (despite frequent dramatic depictions, including 1776) or even during ratification of the Declaration of Independence have largely been debunked. The "Liberty Bell" designation was first given in the 1830s, when abolitionist groups adopted it as a symbol.
The most notable feature of the bell is its distinctive crack. Again, legends and stories surround how the cracking originated. By 1846, following repair attempts which themselves filed the sides of the crack, when the bell rang to mark George Washington's Birthday, the existing crack was extended and the bell retired. The Liberty Bell now resides in Liberty Bell Center at Independence National Park, across from the original statehouse (Independence Hall).
Despite the claims of "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," the frontiersman never did fix up the crack in the Liberty Bell.
References[]
- The Sesame Street 1976 Calendar, with a bicentennial/American history theme, includes "An American Alphabet." The letter L is represented by the Liberty Bell, rung by Cookie Monster.
- During the American history song in the Muppet Babies episode "Out-of-This-World History," the babies cling to the Liberty Bell.
- Sam the Eagle keeps a miniature Liberty Bell on his night stand in Muppets from Space.
- In the 2000 Sesame Street coloring book Let's Take a Trip!, during a stop in Philadelphia, Super Grover crashes into The Liberty Bell.