William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The People's Plaza
Independence National Historical Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
"Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins."
Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania Gazette, November 1737
For more than two centuries, people from diverse backgrounds representing varied causes have gathered in the shadow of Independence Hall and in the presence of the iconic Liberty Bell to publicly assemble, to voice their opinions, and to point out injusticeexercising their right to free speech.
Here on Independence Mall, people have demonstrated for such causes as civil and human rights, an end to war, and to express their faith. This open space and simple granite stone before you are reminders of the power of free speech, as enshrined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
[Captions:]
Pickets at Independence Hall, Annual Reminder Day, ca. 1966
Independence Mall during Pope Francis' visit in 2015
Rally for peace in Ukraine, 2022
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights
this page online
Location. 39° 57.008′ N, 75° 9.001′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is on Market Street (County Road 2004) east of South 6th Street (County Road 2005), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 S Independence Mall W, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Notable Liberty Medal Ceremonies (here, next to this marker); Notable Visitors to the Liberty Bell (here, next to this marker); The President's House Site (a few steps from this marker); Memorial (a few steps from this marker); History Lost & Found (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named History Lost & Found (within shouting distance of this marker); James Forten, 1776 - 1842 / Ki-onTwog-Ky or Cornplanter, 1732/40 - 1836 (within shouting distance of this marker); "I and my household" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Other markers no longer nearby. Life Under Slavery (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 554 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
