The Liberty Bell

(Yale University Press) Nash explores the history behind the most famous bell in the country, a symbol of liberty and American identity. He traces the bell’s story from its casting in England in 1751 through its cracking, to its eventual emergence as a symbol of a nation. He fills in the context behind its use in announcing the Declaration of Independence, recounts its seven trips around the country, and explores the bell’s evolving meaning through generations. Nash is a professor emeritus of history at UCLA.

Paw in print

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The February 2026 cover of PAW, featuring a photo of Joseph Nye.
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February 2026

Lives Lived & Lost in 2025, Saying ’yes’ to more housing; AI startup stars