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75 years of the Liberty Bell: Ceremony in Schöneberg promises a spectacle!
Ceremonial commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Freedom Bell on October 24, 1950 in the Schöneberg town hall. Symbol of peace and freedom.
75 years of the Liberty Bell: Ceremony in Schöneberg promises a spectacle!
On October 24, 1950, the Freedom Bell rang for the first time in the tower of the Schöneberg Town Hall in Berlin. This year, this special date will be used as the occasion for a celebratory commemorative event that district mayor Jörn Oltmann is planning. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary, the public celebration will take place in front of the Schöneberg town hall, where greetings from Oltmann and the mayor of Berlin, Franziska Giffey, are expected. A highlight of the celebrations will be an impressive light installation at the town hall and a replica of the Liberty Bell. Berlin.de reports that...
The Freedom Bell, which was presented by the American people as a gift to the people of Berlin in the divided city, has stood as a symbol of peace, freedom and hope since its first toll. It is considered the largest profanely used bell in Berlin and has a diameter of 2.48 meters and a weight of 10,206 kg. Its remarkable sound is activated every day at noon and is played several times a year on special occasions, such as May 1st or the reunification of October 3rd. Wikipedia adds that...
A symbolism of freedom
The idea for the Liberty Bell came about in May 1949 in the USA as part of the founding of the National Committee for a Free Europe. The bell was modeled after the US Liberty Bell and traveled through the USA during a “crusade for freedom”. Generals like Lucius D. Clay sponsored a fundraising campaign that, although officially organized by private individuals, also received support from the U.S. government and the CIA. This bell symbolizes the close relations between America and West Berlin.
The ringing of the bell was particularly historic on June 26, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy announced the exciting words “I am a Berliner” during his visit to Berlin. This happened just before the bell rang to mark the moment. On the evening of his assassination, several thousand Berliners gathered for a spontaneous memorial service in front of the Schöneberg town hall, which was later renamed John F. Kennedy Platz.
A legacy of peace
Over the years, the Liberty Bell has not only found its place in the everyday life of Berliners, but has also become the voice of memories and warnings. Days of remembrance and mourning were accompanied by their bells. For example, the bell rang for seven minutes after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. In addition, every Sunday at 11:59 a.m., a recording of the ringing with the vow of freedom is broadcast on the Deutschlandfunk Kultur program, which is inspired by the USA's “Declaration of Freedom”.
An exhibition in the tower of the town hall documents the history of the creation of the Liberty Bell and the idea behind it. The Freedom Shrine also contains 16 million signatures of American citizens demonstrating support for freedom. [ Alamy