Also on July 8, 1776, according to tradition, the Liberty Bell rang to mark the public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Although historians debate some details, the bell later became a powerful symbol of liberty and abolitionist causes. Its famous inscription speaks of proclaiming liberty throughout the land. In the 19th century, the cracked bell traveled to exhibitions across the country. These trips reinforced its symbolic status in American life. Today, the bell remains a key attraction in Philadelphia and an enduring icon of freedom.
