Rhodesian Independence Bell facts for kids
Prime Minister Ian Smith ceremonially rings the bell on 11 November 1966
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| Location | Salisbury, Rhodesia |
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| Type | Tower Bell |
| Material | Bronze and mukwa wood |
| Height | 4 ft (1.2 m) |
| Completion date | 1966 |
| Dedicated to | Rhodesian independence |
The Rhodesian Independence Bell, also called the Rhodesian Liberty Bell, was a special bell used in a country once known as Rhodesia. This bell was a copy of the famous American Liberty Bell.
It was made to celebrate Rhodesia's decision to become an independent country in 1965. The bell weighed about 250 pounds (110 kg) (113 kg) and was created in the Netherlands in 1966. It was last rung in 1978.
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What Does the Independence Bell Look Like?
This special bell was made in the Netherlands. It is crafted from bronze, a strong metal. The bell stands about 4 feet (1.2 m) (1.2 meters) tall. It weighs 250 pounds (110 kg) (113 kg), which is quite heavy!
The bell rests on a stand made from a type of wood called mukwa. This wood comes from a tree found in Rhodesia. The bell cost about £600 to make. Five people from Rhodesia, who wished to remain unknown, paid for it. The money reportedly came from people in America who supported Rhodesia.
The bell has a message carved into it. It says: "I toll for justice, civilization and Christianity."
The Bell's History: A Symbol of Independence
Rhodesia was once a territory controlled by the United Kingdom. On 11 November 1965, Rhodesia declared itself an independent country. This was called a "Unilateral Declaration of Independence" (UDI). It meant Rhodesia decided to govern itself without the UK's full agreement.
Celebrating Independence Day
To mark the first anniversary of this independence in 1966, Rhodesia held a big celebration. They called it the "Spirit of '76" festival. This name was a tribute to the Thirteen Colonies in America. Those colonies were the first to break away from the British Empire during the American War of Independence.
Rhodesia's Prime Minister, Ian Smith, showed the new Liberty Bell to everyone. He said that every time the bell rang, it would be a sign against anyone trying to interfere with Rhodesia's affairs.
How the Bell Was Used
Prime Minister Smith rang the bell 12 times at midnight on 11 November 1966. This ringing became a yearly tradition. Each year, at midnight on 11 November, the bell was rung 12 times at an "Independence Ball" event.
Smith explained that the bell would always be rung 12 times. Some people thought it would ring once for each year of independence. But Smith joked that if it rang for every year, a future leader might have to ring it 100 times!
The Bell's Retirement
In 1979, the bell was not rung for the first time since 1966. This happened after Prime Minister Smith returned from important talks in London. These talks were about the future of Rhodesia.
After these events, the bell was officially retired. It was then stored safely in the Zimbabwe Rhodesian National Archives.
