Bells were rung when the Declaration of Independence was read on July 8 , 1776 . Despite the legends that have grown up about the Liberty Bell , it did not ring on July 4 , 1776 , as no public announcement was made of the Declaration of Independence . When the Declaration was publicly read on July 8 , 1776 , there was a ringing of bells , and while there is no contemporary account of this particular bell ringing , most authorities agree that the Liberty Bell was among the bells that rang .