The Great Bell Rings for Liberty
PHILADELPHIA — The streets of this fine city are buzzing with a sound that will echo through the ages. On this historic day, the great bronze bell atop the Pennsylvania State House has rung out with a clarity that matches the spirit of the people gathered below. This is not merely a call to a routine meeting; it is a signal that the course of history has changed forever.
The bell, which many are now calling the voice of the American colonies, has a history as rocky as the current political climate. It was first ordered in 1751 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of William Penn’s Charter of Privileges. The leaders of Pennsylvania wanted a bell that could be heard across the growing city to announce the opening of the Assembly and the courts. However, when the bell arrived from the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, disaster struck. Upon its very first ring in Philadelphia, the bell cracked.
- Bronze:
- A strong, yellowish-brown metal made by mixing copper and tin.
- Ingenuity:
- The quality of being clever, original, and inventive.
- Inscription:
- Words that are carved, engraved, or printed on a surface.
- Brittle:
- Hard but easy to break or snap.
- Patriots:
- People who love their country and are prepared to defend it.
- persistence:
- The quality of continuing to work toward a goal and refusing to give up, even when facing difficulties.
Educational example text · News Article
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- 1What was the original reason for ordering the great bronze bell in 1751?
- 2What unfortunate event happened the very first time the bell was rung in Philadelphia?
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About this news article passage for Upper Elementary
“The Great Bell Rings for Liberty” is a news article reading passage about American Independence, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 4 minutes to read (640 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.