Re-chaining

Past

The Justice Bell was cast in Troy, NY in 1915. It was used by Pennsylvania women as they toured the state campaigning for the right to vote. In every village that it entered, it drew large crowds of people. The Justice Bell embarked on a 5,000-mile journey to tour all 67 counties in Pennsylvania and a special truck was designed to carry the bell, along with the suffragists. The referendum did not pass, but the tour was not a failure. On September 25, 1920, the Justice Bell rang for the first time on Independence Square, to celebrate the ratification of the 19th amendment. On September 13, 2015, the 100th anniversary celebration of the Justice Bell was held at the Washington Memorial Chapel. During the event, the clapper of the bell was rechained in symbolic memory of the bell’s origins.

Present

On August 25, 2020, the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote, will kick off at Freedoms Foundation. Following a special jump performed by nationally acclaimed female skydivers of The Highlight Pro Team, the bell will be christened with a champagne bottle for its journey to Philadelphia. The all-female team will then lead a caravan down the road to the National Patriots Bell Tower at the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge National Historical Park where an old-fashioned suffrage program will take place. The Centennial Commemoration will ensue the next day on August 26 in front of Independence National Historic Park where the bell will be unchained and rung ceremoniously with music, dignitaries, and speakers. The Justice Bell will remain on display in close proximity to the Liberty Bell until after Constitution Day (September 17, 2020).