4TH OF JULY

"Whereas the tolling of the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA, at 2 l'clock in the afternoon of the 4th day of July, 1776, proclaimed the signing of the Declaration of Independence: and

Wheras the adoption of this historic document marked the birth of our country as a free and independent nation; and

Wheras the adoption of this historic document marked the birth of our country as a free and independent nation; and

Whereas it is fitting that the anniversary of this great event should be appropriately observed in each year at the same moment throughout the United States;

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Congress hereby (1) delcares that the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence should be observed each year by the ringing of bells throughout the United States at the hour of 2 o'clock, eastern daylight time, in the afternoon of the 4th day of July, or at such other time on that day as may be determined by local authority, and (2) call upon civic and other community leaders to take appropriate steps to encourage public participation in such observance."

Adopted 26 June 1963

National Bell Ringing Ceremony

Independence Day

United States Senate &

The House of Representatives

Concurrent Resolution

Number 25.

THE BELL RING HEARD

THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES

In 1963, an act of Congress officially authorized the Let Freedom Ring National Bell Ringing Ceremony. This patriotic act says it is "fitting" and "appropriate" to ring bells in honor of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. To participate on the 4TH OF JULY, bell ringing institutions across the country are to ring 13 times at 2:00 p.m. EDST.

With each passing year, a larger number of church towers, fire halls, universities, carillons, state houses and other bell-ringing institutions join in this simultaneous national observance. Last year the number rose to over 10,000 participants. The potential is much greater. In years to come, citizens throughout the country should be able to hear the sound of our country's founding...the same way the people of Philadelphia heard the ringing of the Liberty Bell in 1776. To achieve our goal, we'll need your help.

Information borrowed from -  http://www.let-freedom-ring.org/asp/downloads/LFR2004.pdf