The Birth of the Liberty Bell The Liberty Bell was cast in 1752 in Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, England. Initially commissioned by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly , the bell was intended for the Pennsylvania State House , which is now known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia . The purpose of the bell was to call lawmakers to sessions and alert the public to important announcements. The bell itself is made of a mixture of copper, tin, and other metals, which gives it a distinctive sound. It weighs approximately 2,080 pounds (940 kilograms), making it a large and powerful instrument. When it was cast, it was inscribed with the following words: "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof Lev. XXV. v." This inscription is a reference to a biblical passage from the Book of Leviticus, which encourages the proclamation of liberty. Little did the people of Pennsylvania know that this bell, which was meant to serve as a simple co...