Liberty Bell crack and origin stories

The Liberty Bell on display at the Liberty Bell Center bears a large, well-known crack that ended its use for public ringing. Multiple explanations exist for when and how the crack formed; historical evidence indicates repair attempts in the early 19th century and enlargement of the fissure by the mid-1800s, and some popular origin stories are debated by historians. The bell has been exhibited in Independence National Historical Park since the 19th century and remains a focus of historical interpretation and folklore.