San Pedro’s Korean Friendship Bell tolls for Fourth of July observance
Usa today news
San Pedro’s Korean Friendship Bell rang out 13 time on the morning of Fourth of July — one toll to honor each of the 13 original colonies.
American, South Korean and United Nations flags all wave in the wind in front of the Korean Bell during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
LA City Councilmember Tim McOsker gives a speech during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
City and local leaders ring the Korean Bell for the thirteen original colonies and for world peace during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
City and local leaders ring the Korean Bell for the thirteen original colonies and for world peace during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Audience members listen to speakers during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
The Garden Church pastor Connie McOsker reads out an invocation during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Hansori at UC Irvine perform traditional Korean songs while marching during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Kim Eung Hwa & Korean Dance Company perform traditional Korean dances for the audience during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Kim Eung Hwa & Korean Dance Company perform traditional Korean dances for the audience during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Kim Eung Hwa & Korean Dance Company perform traditional Korean dances for the audience during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
California Assemblymember Mike Gipson gives a speech during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Kim Eung Hwa & Korean Dance Company perform traditional Korean dances for the audience during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Hansori at UC Irvine beat their drums as they perform traditional Korean songs during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Ernest Lee, the president of The Korean Bell of Friendship Golden Anniversary Committee, speaks to the audience during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Hansori at UC Irvine beat their drums as they perform traditional Korean songs during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance at the Korean Bell in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
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American, South Korean and United Nations flags all wave in the wind in front of the Korean Bell during the 48th Annual San Pedro Fourth of July Community Observance in San Pedro, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
The tolling marked San Pedro’s 48th iteration of the community observance event, which takes place on Independence Day each year.
For each time the Korean Friendship Bell was rung, guest speakers read out the name of each colony.
The Korean Friendship Bell was donated by the Republic of Korea to Los Angeles in 1976 to celebrate the bicentennial of U.S. independence.
It’s rung each year on five other key dates, including Juneteenth, Korean Independence Day on Aug. 15, Constitution Day on Sept. 21, New Year’s Eve, and Korean American Day on Jan. 13.
