Chapter 2. the Constitution Vid: Philadelphia, Home of American Independence

Chapter 2. The Constitution Vid: Philadelphia, Home of American Independence -

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VOA

Voice of America

The first stop for many tourists to Philadelphia Pennsylvania is Independence Hall, the place where the founding fathers met to discuss and write the Declaration of Independence.

People want to come here to see the birthplace of the United States. This is it; it all starts right here in this building.

Bill Coughlin is a ranger with the National Park Service.

I think what attracts people the most is the fact that we're a Nation that's founded; one on ideals, one on equality, and freedom, and I think that it attracts a lot of people from around the world; they want to come and see that room where that Declaration of Independence came out of.

And those ideals are memorialized, not just in that declaration, but also elsewhere along independence mall. Actors dressed as key early American patriots; George Washington, Ben Franklin, add to the historic ambience and talk to tourists. Famous relics and sights, such as the Liberty Bell, Carpenters Hall, and the house where legend says seamstress Betsy Ross sewed the first American Flag, attract more than three million visitors to Philadelphia each year.

I think it's actually pretty amazing, all this history here.

Where the country basically started, so you know, it's a focal point.

I wanted to see the Liberty Bell, I've always wanted to see the Liberty Bell, and I got to see it.

I love the Liberty Bell.

The Liberty Bell was rung on July 8th, 1776 to summon Philadelphians to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. In 1846, after a tiny crack expanded to the point that the bell could not be rung; it was removed from the Independence Hall tower and put on display.

It's such a powerful symbol, really is, and I see that on a regular basis. By the time that it did crack, it was already an important relic from the time of the independence, but also would become a symbol of freedom for people here in the United States, pretty soon around the world.

And more people from the United States and around the world visit Philadelphia for The Fourth of July holiday than at any other time of the year.

July 4th is our time to shine here, you know.

For Voice of America, I'm Staca DeMarco in Philadelphia.