Fourth of July Observance & Bell Ringing

The Annual San Pedro 4th of July Community Observance will be held at Angels Gate Park, home of the Korean Friendship Bell. The Korean Bell, one of San Pedro’s most enduring landmarks, plays a key role in the ceremonial observance.  The ceremony will begin at 10:30 AM with a processional to the bell led by percussion drummers. The ceremony includes the posting of the colors and remarks by Congresswoman Barragan, State Senator Steven Bradford, and Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell.

To conclude the ceremonial portion of the day, the assembled guest speakers and dignitaries will lead the audience in reciting the names of the 13 original American states. As they read the names, the representatives of the San Pedro and Korean Communities will strike a battering ram into the massive bell, ringing once for each state. The Korean Bell is rung officially on four other occasions each year – Korean Independence Day (August 15th), Constitution Day (September 21st), New Year’s Eve (December 31st), and Korean American Day (January 13th).

The free event, conducted every year since the Korean Bell’s installation in 1976, is sponsored by the Office of Councilman Joe Buscaino; the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks; the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce; and the Korean Friendship Bell Preservation Committee (KFBPC).