"NO ONE ALIVE TODAY HAS HEARD THE LIBERTY BELL RING"

LIBERTY BELL TOLLS FOR FIRST READING OF DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Philadelphia (JFK+50) On July 8, 1776, the citizens of Philadelphia were called to the Pennsylvania State House by the ringing of the Liberty Bell* signaling the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence which had been adopted there on July 4.

The Liberty Bell, 2000 pounds and made of copper, was built in 1751 to proclaim the 50th anniversary of Pennsylvania's constitution. 

JFK+50 NOTE

The Liberty Bell cracked on its first test ringing.  An attempt was made to recast & repair the bell but a second crack appeared.  It is said that no one living today has heard the Liberty Bell ring.

*The Liberty Bell is inscribed with words from the King James version of the Holy Bible..."Proclaim Liberty Throughout All The Land Unto All Inhabitants Thereof"  

SOURCES

"Independence National Historical Park," National Park Service, www.nps.gov/

"Liberty Bell Rings For First Reading Of The Declaration of Independence," JFK+50, July 8, 2011, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/

 

 

Liberty Bell On Display

Liberty Bell Center

Photo by Toadspike (2022)

"PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF"

FIRST PUBLIC READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) On July 8, 1776, the good citizens of Philadelphia were called to the State House Yard by the ringing of the Liberty Bell* signaling the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence had been approved by the Second Continental Congress meeting in the Pennsylvania State House on July 4, 1776.
The public reading of July 8th was done by Colonel John Nixon**. 


The National Park Service says that after the reading "and long into the night" the city's bells rang in celebration.

*The Liberty Bell is 4 feet high & 12 feet in circumference.  She weighs 2080 pounds & consists of 70% copper, 20% tin & 10% other metals.  The Liberty Bell was commissioned from Lester & Pack of London (Whitechapel Bell Foundry) in 1752. 

The bell bears the inscription "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof" which comes from the Book of Leviticus (25.10).  The famous "crack" in the bell is said to have resulted from tolling the death of Chief Justice John Marshall in 1835.

**John Nixon (1733-1808) was born in Philadelphia & became a member of the 1st committee of correspondence in Philadelphia.  After service in the Revolutionary War, he became director of the Bank of Pennsylvania & served as president of the Bank of North America from 1792 until his death. 

SOURCE

"First Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence," National Park Service, www.nps.gov/

                            Liberty Bell
                    Liberty Bell Center
          Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
          Photo by Bev Sykes (2004)

LIBERTY BELL RINGS FOR 1ST READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

 July 8, 1776


LIBERTY BELL RINGS FOR 1ST READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE


The citizens of Philadelphia were called to the Pennsylvania State House today by the ringing of the Liberty Bell which signaled the 1st public reading of the Declaration of Independence.


The Liberty Bell was built in 1751 to proclaim the 50th anniversary of Pennsylvania's constitution.


The 2000 pound bell, made of copper & tin, was given the name "Liberty Bell" in a poem published in an abolitionist pamphlet.

                            Liberty Bell
                    Liberty Bell Center
          Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
          Photo by Bev Sykes (2004)*


*WC Fields liked to say "I'd rather be in Philadelphia" but I am sad to say, I have never had the opportunity to visit.  Certainly, the "City of Brotherly Love" should be seen by all Americans & I hope to get there soon.


July 8, 1853


COMMODORE PERRY SAILS INTO TOKYO BAY

US Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry sailed his fleet of 4 ships into Tokyo Harbor today in hopes of gaining an audience with Japanese officials.


After some behind the scene negotiations, the Japanese government agreed to meet with Commodore Perry.*


*This marked the 1st time in 200 years that the Japanese opened up a relationship with a western nation.

July 8, 1938


AMBASSADOR KENNEDY HONORED IN IRELAND


Ambassador to Great Britain, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., was given a banquet in his honor today at Dublin Castle in Ireland.


Prime Minister Eamon de Valera welcomed Mr. Kennedy & praised both the ambassador & the United States.


July 8, 1941


BOSTON'S TED WILLIAMS LEADS AL TO VICTORY IN ALL STAR CLASSIC


With the American League All-Stars down by a run in the 9th inning, Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams belted a 3 run home run to lead his team to a 7-5 victory over the National League All-Stars.

                     Ted Williams Plaque
                    Fenway Park, Boston
       Photo by Bernard Gagnon (2007)


July 8, 1951


PARIS CELEBRATES 2000th BIRTHDAY


Paris, France is 2000 years old today.*


*Paris, center of commerce, culture, fashion & food, boasts a population of 2 million today with 10 million in the metro area.

                        Paris, France
          Photo by Taxiarchos228


July 8, 1960


FRANCIS GARY POWERS CHARGED AS SPY


Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 pilot who was shot down 2 months ago over the Soviet Union, was charged today with espionage by the USSR.*


*In August 1960, Powers would be sentenced to 10 years in prison, but was released in exchange for Soviet spy Rudolph Abel after 2 years.

Kelly Johnson, U2 designer & Powers


July 8, 1962


JFK UPSET BY NEWS FROM COUNCIL ON YOUTH FITNESS


President John F. Kennedy, who has championed a call for physical fitness & vigor, was upset today by the results of a report from the Council on Youth Fitness.


The report says that 60% of American children do not participate in a daily program of physical activity.


July 8, 1963


JFK FREEZES CUBAN BANK DEPOSITS


In response to the continued alliance by Fidel Castro's Cuban government & the Soviet Union, the Kennedy Administration today froze $33 million in Cuban bank deposits.


The action follows the embargo set in February of last year which provided for trade restrictions with Cuba & the travel restrictions added to that in February of this year.*


*The basis for the action is the 1917 Trading With the Enemy Act.