Thursday, July 8, 2010

July 08: Let Freedom Ring

Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on this day in 1776 ... the Liberty Bell rang out from the tower of the State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania summoning citizens to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. A prominent symbol of the American Revolution, it represents independence, liberty and justice.
Although the Liberty Bell had pealed prior to July 8, contrary to popular belief it did not ring out on July 4, 1776. Much of the bell's history is shroud in tradition and is not always factual - most historians doubt this day's event really took place as the bell's steeple had deteriorated by 1776 and needed work.
What is factual is that the Liberty Bell replica at Walt Disney World was cast from the actual mold of the real bell! It is one of 50 authentically cast and molded in 1976 for the U.S.A.'s 200th birthday. First hoisted into its present location in 1989, the bell (which anchors Liberty Square) stands 8 feet tall and weighs two and a half tons.

Click HERE for more July 08 Disney history.

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