FOOD NEWS
Did Taco Bell Really Buy The Liberty Bell At One Point?
By Lauren Wood
For one reason or another, Taco Bell always seems to be in the news, often associated with an array of ludicrous statements and situations. An example of this came in 1996, when David Paine (PR firm owner) and Jonathan Blum (marketing executive) executed a plan and set an idea into motion.
An article released on April 1, 1996, stated, "In an effort to help the national debt, Taco Bell is pleased to announce that we have agreed to purchase the Liberty Bell, one of our country's most historic treasures.” The plan to rename it the “Taco Liberty Bell” was dismissed by many as a hoax since the announcement fell on April Fool's Day, but others overlooked the comical date.
Consumers found no humor in Taco Bell's prank and made numerous calls to the National Park Service and Taco Bell's headquarters, berating the company's intentions of buying a historic symbol of American freedom. Within a few hours, Taco Bell released another statement revealing the truth of their harmless hoax and even pledged $50,000 to preserve the Liberty Bell.