10 Fascinating Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The Most Popular Attraction In Pennsylvania

PA is home to a slew of popular attractions - from amusement parks and state parks to museums and historical sites. Crowning the most popular attraction in Pennsylvania would certainly be a hefty challenge. But, one certainly stands apart from the rest: The Liberty Bell, encased in glass near Independence Hall in Philadelphia, beckons visitors from all over the world. Embark on self-guided tour of the Liberty Bell Center to learn more about the historic landmark before visiting the Liberty Bell itself.

1. Abolitionists named the Liberty Bell.

Prior to the 1830s, the bell was typically known as The Old Statehouse Bell or the Independence Bell. However, that name changed as Americans began the fight to abolish slavery. The first time the bell was publically referred to as the Liberty Bell was in 1835.

2. The bell weighs 2,080 pounds.

And, it’s made of a mixture of bronze, copper, tin, silver, and lead.

3. The original Liberty Bell cracked…

On its very first "test ring" in 1752. Two Philadelphia metalworkers then melted down the original bell and created a new one.

4. The Liberty Bell summoned both lawmakers and Philadelphians.

In its early days, the Liberty Bell rang out to summon lawmakers to meetings and to Philadelphians to listen to the news.

5. The new bell cracked, too.

That crack occurred some time in the 1840s. Local metalworkers attempted to repair the crack to reclaim its original sound. Unfortunately, the repair only made the crack worse – and that’s the "wide" crack we now see in the Liberty Bell. The new bell cracked yet again, signaling the end to its ringing.

6. No evidence exists that the Liberty Bell rang out on July 4 and 8, 1776.

Sure, it makes a good story to say the Liberty Bell chimed to mark America’s independence from Great Britain on July 4 and 8, 1776. In reality, there’s no proof in existence to show that it did ring on those two days.

7. The famous landmark bears the words…

"Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof."

8. The Liberty Bell once toured the United States.

At one time, Americans didn’t have to travel to Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell. Instead, it traveled around the country, appearing at fairs, expositions and in small towns, and big cities. That practiced ended in 1915 when the historic landmark permanently returned to Philadelphia.

9. Americans heard the Liberty Bell on D-Day.

The Liberty Bell rang out on D-Day – June 6, 1944 – when subdued chimes rang out on radios across the United States, coinciding with the Allies landing on the beaches in Normandy, France.

10. We will never hear the Liberty Bell as others once did.

Unfortunately, we will never hear the toll of the Liberty Bell as it originally sounded.

Have you ever visited the Liberty Bell, perhaps the most popular attraction in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! Then, click here to read about 10 hidden attractions in PA.