by KYW's Lynne Adkins

Descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence tapped the Liberty Bell on Friday to celebrate the country's birthday.

The eight young relatives of signers wore white gloves and gently tapped the bell. It was virtually silent. Atop Independence Hall, meanwhile, the bell there sounded with other bells across the country celebrating the nation's liberty.

Sixteen-year old Logan Clements of Swarthmore (Delaware County), Pa. called the experience of tapping the actual Liberty Bell surreal:

"I've been waiting for years. I was told when I was little I would ring the bell in 2008. Now it's 2008 and I got to ring the bell!"

The descendants are placed on a long waiting list for the privilege, and they receive a small replica of the Liberty Bell as a token. Ten-year old Ryan Brink Gottwald of Virginia got his chance today, too:

"Um, I think I'll keep it in my room so I can always remember my tapping of the Liberty Bell."