In 1873, Philadelphia citizen, Henry Seybert, donated to the City of Philadelphia a new bell and a large clock for tower of Independence Hall. Seybert commissioned the Meneely and Kimberly Bell Foundry to cast the bell and have it installed in the steeple by July 4, 1876 in time to usher in the Centennial anniversary celebration.

The bell was cast using a mixture of 80% copper and 20% tin with the addition of one hundred pounds each of four cannons - a British and American cannon from the battle of Saratoga and a Union and Confederate cannon from the battle of Gettysburg.

The bell weighs 13,000 pounds representing 1,000 pounds for each of the 13 original states and bears the following inscriptions:

Around the crown: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men - Luke, chapter II, verse 14."
Around the lip: " Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof - Leviticus, chapter XXV, verse 10."

Upon one side of the of the bell is cast - "Presented to the city of Philadelphia, July 4, 1876, for the belfry of Independence Hall, by a citizen." On the opposite side is the date "1776" and the coat of arms of the United States set in a shield containing 13 stars. In addition, 38 stars representing the number of states in the Union in 1876 encircle the waist of the bell.

The first casting of Henry Seybert's bell did not meet with his expectations in terms of tonal quality. It was recast following the Centennial and was judged much improved. It is this bell that hangs in the tower of Independence Hall today.