Pennsylvania Is Spelled With One “N” on the Liberty Bell

Just as Shakespeare's works reveal the fluid nature of Elizabethan English, you'll find an intriguing quirk cast into one of America's most iconic symbols. The Liberty Bell's inscription features "Pensylvania" with a single "n," a detail that might make modern spell-checkers cringe. But you're not looking at a mistake – you're witnessing a snapshot of 18th-century American English, when standardized spelling wasn't yet the norm. This variation offers more than just a historical curiosity; it opens a window into how language conventions have evolved and what that tells us about our nation's early identity.

Historical Spelling of Pennsylvania

While you might assume "Pennsylvania" has always been spelled with two "n's," the Liberty Bell actually bears the spelling "Pensylvania" – a common variant in the 18th century. This isn't a mistake but reflects the fluid spelling conventions of colonial America.

Today, visitors can view this unique spelling while exploring the bell in its glass chamber at the Liberty Bell Center. The spelling evolution of Pennsylvania included several accepted variations during the colonial period, including "Pensilvania" and "Pennsilvania." The bell was ordered in 1751 by Norris to commemorate the Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges.

You'll find "Pensylvania" in numerous colonial documents, including the U.S. Constitution signed by Alexander Hamilton. This spelling was perfectly acceptable in formal and official contexts of the time.

The modern standardized spelling with two "n's" emerged gradually, but the historical variant remains preserved on important artifacts like the Liberty Bell, where you can read "By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania."