The Liberty Bell, By Gary B Nash
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Though two million pay homage to this fissured symbol every year, the Liberty Bell is little known in this country. If we know it at all, we tend to claim that it was "cast in Whitechapel".
Tiring of a "bell hanging from a tree branch", the Philadelphian authorities ordered what was going to be America's largest bell from the Whitechapel foundry in 1752. Sadly, it cracked at the first stroke and, after a failed repair, was melted down and re-cast in a mould of the old bell. It looked fine but, instead of clanging, produced "a dull thud".
Recast a second time, the bell celebrated the coronation of George III and, 15 years later, the Declaration of Independence. In 1843, it also cracked. Nash tells the curious story of how the useless bell became a resonant icon.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments