It was a season of unparalleled enthusiasm and rejoicing, when General Lafayette, the friend and supporter of American Independence, responded to the wishes of the people of the United States, and came to see their prosperity, and to hear their expressions of gratitude. The national heart beat joyfully in anticipation; and one long, loud, and free shout of welcome was heard throughout the land.

"The Old Bell of Independence or Philadelphia in 1776" inspires the reader to turn back to the days the American history as we know it was made. The author states: "In the enjoyment of the freedom and prosperity of our country, we are apt to under-rate the means by which that enjoyment was secured to us, and to forget the men who worked for that end." In the "Old Bell of Independence," the events, the people, the talks, and the emotions of the days the Independence was proclaimed see the light of the day again, making us remember the greatness of the past.

Independence Hall is a place Americans think they know well. Within its walls the Continental Congress declared independence in 1776, and in 1787 the Founding Fathers drafted the U.S. Constitution there. Painstakingly restored to evoke these momentous events, the building appears to have passed through time unscathed, from the heady days of the American Revolution to today. But Independence Hall is more than a symbol of the young nation. Beyond this, according to Charlene Mires, it has a long and varied history of changing uses in an urban environment, almost all of which have been forgotten. In Independence Hall, Mires rediscovers and chronicles the lost history of Independence Hall, in the process exploring the shifting perceptions of this most important building in America's popular imagination. According to Mires, the significance of Independence Hall cannot be fully appreciated without assessing the full range of political, cultural, and social history that has swirled about it for nearly three centuries. During its existence, it has functioned as a civic and cultural center, a political arena and courtroom, and a magnet for public celebrations and demonstrations. Artists such as Thomas Sully frequented Independence Square when Philadelphia served as the nation's capital during the 1790s, and portraitist Charles Willson Peale merged the arts, sciences, and public interest when he transformed a portion of the hall into a center for natural science in 1802. In the 1850s, hearings for accused fugitive slaves who faced the loss of freedom were held, ironically, in this famous birthplace of American independence. Over the years Philadelphians have used the old state house and its public square in a multitude of ways that have transformed it into an arena of conflict: labor grievances have echoed regularly in Independence Square since the 1830s, while civil rights protesters exercised their right to free speech in the turbulent 1960s. As much as the Founding Fathers, these people and events illuminate the building's significance as a cultural symbol.

Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, two of America's most revered symbols of freedom, date back to the British rule of the American colonies. The main structure of Independence Hall was completed in 1732, and the final casting of the Liberty Bell was completed in 1753. Visited by over two million people yearly, these historic icons have been used as backdrops for many political and social demonstrations and speeches. Filled with images from the archives of Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia Department of Records, and collections from around the country, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell illustrates how these two historic relics generate a sense of pride and patriotism set forth by the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

"The Old Bell of Independence" is a historical fiction written by Henry C. Watson, an 1831-born novelist. Although Watson's life was cut short when he died in 1869, he left behind a significant literary work that continues to connect with readers. The story, set against the backdrop of the American Revolution, immerses readers in the turbulent era of the country's quest for independence. Watson's storytelling skills shine by as he eloquently depicts the personalities and events which shaped this critical moment in American history. This "Old Bell," a symbol of independence and freedom which plays an important role in the story, is the focal focus of the novel. Readers see the sacrifices, hardships, and victories of the people of America during their fight for independence from British domination through the lens of this bell. Watson's book portrays not just the Revolution's political and military dimensions, but additionally the human drama, love, and sacrifice that defined this momentous period. His meticulous research and keen attention to detail make the story interesting and educational, giving readers a better knowledge of the founding of the United States.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1876.