Editing Liberty Bell (section)

=== Symbol of Freedom ===

The bell was not widely known as the "Liberty Bell" until the '''1830s''', when abolitionists adopted it as a symbol of their movement. The inscription about proclaiming liberty "unto all the inhabitants" resonated with those fighting to end slavery.

The name "Liberty Bell" first appeared in an 1835 anti-slavery publication. Abolitionists used the bell's image in pamphlets and publications, transforming it from a local historical artifact into a national symbol of freedom.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the bell traveled across the country by train for exhibitions, further cementing its status as a national icon. These tours ended in 1915 due to concerns about damage from travel.