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Liberty Bell - Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia
On January 1, 1976, to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial, the National Park Service moved the Liberty Bell from its long-time home in Independence Hall to a new, modern glass pavilion on Independence Mall. This move was designed to accommodate the1.5 million annual visitors expected for the 200th anniversary celebration.
Key Details of the 1976 Move
Significance: The move was the official start of the Bicentennial celebrations, transitioning the bell from a historic, cramped space to a more accessible, purpose-built location, according to The New York Times.
Process: The bell was transported about 100 yards to the new location on New Year's Eve, 1975, into Jan 1, 1976, a move that was heavily secured and monitored.
Location: The new glass-and-brick pavilion offered better views, though some felt it removed the bell from its original historical context, as noted by the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia.
Later Move: The bell remained in this pavilion until 2003, when it was moved to its current, larger home, the Liberty Bell Center.
