The Berks County Liberty Bell was first rung 249 years ago.
Its ringing on July 8, 1776, announced the birth of the United States of America, calling for local residents to gather for a reading of the Declaration of Independence, which had been signed four days earlier.
People gathered Tuesday in the lobby of the Berks County Services Center in Reading around the Berks County Liberty Bell, just as they had that first time. The historic moment was celebrated as the document was ceremonially read again.
The ceremony included Colonial reenactors, an explanation of the historical significance of the document and a reading of select sections of the declaration in English and German — as was done in 1776. It was also read in Spanish to honor the Latino population in the county.
In conjunction with the Berks History Center and the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial, also known as America250PA, the county has a reproduction of the Declaration of Independence on display in the lobby of the services center along with the Berks County Liberty Bell.
The installation is part of a community effort to recognize local contributions to national history as people across the nation prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.