Where did the liberty bell come from?
Other bells around the world are bigger, and many of them have been pealing their high notes and their low notes through several centuries. But to Americans, the best bell, the most beloved bell in all the world rests quietly in Philadelphia. There we may visit it and even touch it. The story of our liberty bell began more than 200 years ago when our 13 original states were still colonies of England; the people of Pennsylvania ordered it to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their commonwealth. The big bell was cast by the foundry of Thomas Lister in Whitechapel, London. It was carried over the sea in a ship and arrived in Philadelphia in August, 1753. At that time it was called the Province bell, and it was a beauty. It bore the date of its birth and the name of its foundry, and around the top of its crown a most suitable text from the bible was cast in letters of metal. Those words from the xxv chapter of Liviticus, verse 10, still announce their noble message from our liberty bell: p
What was the oath of allegiance Continental Army soldiers were required to sign? It’s all in this book tailor-made for American history buffs. The authors have gathered reams of minutiae – facts, maps, drawings, equipment lists – and packaged it in a tome that falls somewhere between encyclopedia and pop-up book. It spans the French-Indian Wars of the 1760s through the Jacksonian era, nearly every page with a pocket that reveals, say, a replica of the British plan of Boston or a copy of general orders written by George Washington or British General William Howe.Final word: If you equate education with a tactile experience, this is the book for you. -Mike Pearson Best pick for popular music lovers U2 By U2, by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr. (Harper Collins, $39.95) Admittedly, the Beatles did this book first and better with Anthology. Then again, the Beatles did Helter Skelter first as well, and U2’s version was top-notch anyway. U2 By U2 follows the Anthology format – j
