On this day in 1776, a 2,000-pound copper-and-tin bell now known as the
“Liberty Bell” rings out from the tower of the Pennsylvania State House
(now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, summoning citizens to the first
public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Four days earlier, the
historic document had been adopted by delegates to the Continental
Congress, but the bell did not ring to announce the issuing of the
document until the Declaration of Independence returned from the
printer on July 8. It was then read to them by Col. John Nixon (below).

The Liberty Bell displayed in the chamber of the Liberty Bell Center,
with Independence Hall.