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In October 1777, the British occupied Philadelphia. Weeks earlier all bells, including the Liberty Bell, were removed from the city. It was well understood that, if left, they would likely be melted down and used for cannon. The Liberty Bell was removed from the city and hidden in the floorboards of the Zion Reformed Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania, which you can still visit today.

Throughout the period from 1790 to 1800, when Philadelphia was the nation's capital, uses of the Bell included calling the state legislature into session, summoning voters to hand in their ballots at the State House window, and tolling to commemorate Washington's birthday and celebrate the Fourth of July.

The Bell Today

The Liberty Bell Center was opened in October, 2003. On every Fourth of July, at 2pm Eastern time, children who are descendants of Declaration signers symbolically tap the Liberty Bell 13 times while bells across the nation also ring 13 times in honor of the patriots from the original 13 states. More about this ceremony.

The green area seen in the foreground of this photograph was the location of the President's House when Philadelphia was the nation's capital (1790-1800) for Presidents Washington and Adams. The house was demolished in 1832. A commemoration to Washington and the 9 enslaved Africans who toiled there, and Adams and his presidency is being planned. Read more about the President's House.

The Bell Today

History of the Bell

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