The Liberty Bell originally rang in the bell tower of the Independence Hall in Philadelphia. It was ordered by the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1751 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of William Penn’s Charter of Privileges, and after several unsuccessful attempts, it was finished in 1753. The Bell is adorned with the biblical quote "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof" (Leviticus 25:10). According to tradition, it was rung on July 8, 1776, to invite the citizens of Philadelphia to the Independence Hall for the first announcement of the Declaration of Independence, and it was also rung to announce the ratification of the Constitution in 1787. Most people believe that it was cracked in 1846, while tolling on Washington’s birthday. During the 19th century, the cracked bell became a nationwide symbol of the independence of the US. Today, it is placed across from the Independence Hall.