Freedom Bell

The stated purpose of the campaign was to offer all Americans an opportunity to play a personal part in a demonstration of the "free world's determination to resist Communist aggression."

The bell was conceived by Abbott Washburn and Nate Crabtree and designed by Walter Dorwin Teague.

The bell subsequently visited 26 American cities, and people in every state were encouraged to sign a "Declaration of Freedom".

"[6] The Governing Mayor of West Berlin, Ernst Reuter (SPD), declared that Germany "will never rest or relax until freedom will shine over the countries of Eastern Europe that are at present forced to live in slavery".

[7] A recording of the ringing was broadcast by RIAS, the American radio in West Berlin, every Sunday just before noon.