Information About Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (yes, Pennsylvania is not a state but rather a commonwealth).  It was founded in 1682 by William Penn whose father was given the land in and around present-day Philadelphia by King Charles II of England who had a very large debt to Penn’s father.  That statue you see on top of City Hall is William Penn, known locally as Billy Penn.  

Philadelphia is considered to be the birthplace of America.  The Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence here on July 4, 1776.  Many Revolutionary War battles were fought in and near Philadelphia. 

The most famous Philadelphian is Benjamin Franklin.   He was a printer, scientist (he invented the lightning rod and bifocals), and politician.  He represented the Colony of Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress, and was the first U.S. ambassador to France.  He was the founder of a college that grew to become the University of Pennsylvania.  Go to the Penn campus and have a chat with Ben Franklin on his bench on Locust Walk.