PHILADELPHIA — The Liberty Bell is recognizable the world over, but many of the “facts” surrounding the bell’s history are more fiction than fact.
One popular story, for example, indicates an aging bell-ringer on July 4, 1776, was awaiting word the colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. The day dragged on without word, and the ringer grew discouraged.
Suddenly, he received the good news and sounded the bell.
It’s a great story, but it almost certainly never happened; the story probably emerged circa 1847. The signing of the Declaration of Independence was officially announced a few days later, so most historians agree no bells rang July 4, 1776.
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