The Liberty Bell represents our nation’s aspirations. It’s good to think about it from time to time, especially now, when we need to focus on unity, not division. Here are a couple of interesting facts about it.
Crack: Nobody knows for sure when or how the crack happened. It’s been the center of much speculation, though, based less on fact and more on symbolism. One theory is that it cracked when our nation divided itself from Britain—during the Revolutionary War. Another is that it happened during Chief Justice John Marshall’s funeral. Despite little formal education, he rose to have great judicial influence on the direction of our country.
Ring: It hasn’t rung since 1846, during George Washington’s birthday. Maybe it had done its job. It was erected in 1752 and first rung when the Declaration of Independence was first read in 1776. We were totally independent when we had our first President.
Anyway, I think it’s time to cherish such icons as the Liberty Bell and Statue of Liberty, to remember we really are—all of us — “one nation under God,” and we should stop our bickering, hatred, and cruelty to each other and reunite as a nation.
