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One of the most well known symbols of freedom is the Liberty Bell. This is the real thing, crack and all.
The Independence National Historical Park does a good job of making history come to life. The museum exhibits in the Liberty Bell Center told story after story of people who used the Liberty Bell as a rallying symbol. In addition to revolutionaries, the Liberty Bell became an icon for freedom from slavery, women’s rights and democratic movements the world over.
Being there reminded me of this quote from Thomas Paine, one of the revolutionary thinkers of the time.
“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.”
― Thomas Paine, The American Crisis
― Thomas Paine, The American Crisis
It struck me that the feelings of patriotism that I felt while at the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall were actually gratitude for all the people who came before me and fought for the “highly rated article of freedom.” I’m grateful to them and to those who fight for it now. Thank you.
Unfortunately Big E was more concerned with riding in little g’s stroller than appreciating national history. Here he is throwing a fit with Independence Hall in the background. Before taking this picture I had carried him, talked to him, begged, bribed and threatened him, but alas there was nothing that I could do to make him happy. At one point I even walked away, assuming he would stop pouting and follow me. It didn’t work.
Eventually, to the relief of the other visitors annoyed with my four-year-old’s cries, I just put him in little g’s stroller, pushed with one hand and carried little g at the same time. Thankfully the Liberty Bell Center was a short walk.
