Philadelphia Freedom

     “Young Thomas,” fumed teacher Douglas. “Would you mind explaining to the class why you insist on working so independently?"
     “Certainly,” said Tom. “In fact, I’ve taken the LIBERTY to list the very reasons.”
     Tom learned the power of his words that day: Mr. Douglas told him to pursue all the LIFE, LIBERTY, AND HAPPINESS he wanted. . .
                                                            from: John, Paul, George and Ben
                                                        written and illustrated by Lane Smith
                                                         Hyperion Books for Children, 2006

        Years and years ago my husband and I visited some American landmarks on a car trip. We started at Battery Park early in the morning and caught the ferry to Ellis Island. My grandfather came through Ellis Island on his way to Cleveland to reunite with family who had already made the trip. His told his Ellis Island story like this: A worker marked his overcoat with a chalk mark. Being as fastidious as he could be after that unimaginable ocean crossing, he brushed off the chalk mark. Grandpa didn’t know the language so didn’t know the mark meant he would be delayed or worse, sent back. He was allowed to stay.
       My mind can’t wrap around what he was moving from. His old country was a land of persecution and poverty, broken dreams and broken hearts, and knowing survival meant moving half a world away and not coming back.  
       My ferry ride from Ellis Island to the Statue of Liberty mimicked his trip from the Island to New York. I was awed, overwhelmed, nostalgic, excited, thrilled, and I did know the language. I found the plaque with Grandpa’s name and made the obligatory rubbing.
       Next stop, Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. My husband and I are small-town people. Super highways intimidate me, but we found our way to Philadelphia and toured Independence Hall. Then we visited The Liberty Bell. It was not yet behind glass (or barricaded away for its own safety). We walked right up to it and even were allowed to touch it.
       Here are two interesting facts I found out from http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/

• Abolitionists named The Liberty Bell. Before that it was just called the Statehouse Bell. William Lloyd Garrison's anti-slavery publication The Liberator reprinted a Boston abolitionist pamphlet containing a poem about the Bell, entitled, The Liberty Bell, which represents the first documented use of the name, "Liberty Bell."  
• On every Fourth of July, at 2pm Eastern time, children who are descendants of Declaration signers symbolically tap the Liberty Bell 13 times while bells across the nation also ring 13 times in honor of the patriots from the original 13 states.

       Today, the 26th of July, we aren’t tapping or ringing any bells, but the country’s eyes are again on Philadelphia. It seems fitting to do politics where history once shone its high hopes for democracy, liberty, and justice for all.
       Just like last week’s interesting speeches and activities in Cleveland drew some spectators who were more interested in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I’m sure Philadelphia has attracted some people looking for a Cheesesteak sandwich.
       Grandpa realized his dreams and made a new life here. His children and his children’s children and his children’s children’s children and their children echo one of his favorite sayings, “Only in America!”
       And whatever happens this week and in the weeks and months to come, I’m betting we’ll all still be saying “Let freedom ring.”
 
                                                                   --stay curious!