Philadelphia History

Situated on the shore of the Delaware River, where Pennsylvania meets New Jersey, Philadelphia is a city of great historical significance in the U.S. Because of the role it played in America's independence, Philadelphia is known as the "Cradle of Liberty" and the "Birthplace of America." Philadelphia's most famous resident, Benjamin Franklin, was an early proponent of uniting the colonies and has often been credited for inventing the idea of an American nation. It was here that the Second Continental Congress convened on July 4, 1776 and adopted Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. It was also in Philadelphia that the U.S. Constitution was penned in 1787. Philadelphia served as the nation's first capital until 1800, and George Washington really did "sleep here" during his term as president. The flag of the U.S. was born in Philadelphia, designed by Francis Hopkinson or Washington (depending on whom you ask) and reputedly sewn by Betsy Ross.

Founded in 1682 by William Penn, Philadelphia was envisioned as a haven of freedom and religious tolerance. The first settlers were primarily Quakers, fleeing persecution in England (and, ironically, from the Puritans in New England). The city's name is Greek for "brotherly love," an attitude that Penn hoped would prevail throughout the settlement. Penn described Philadelphia as a "green countrie towne," an antithesis to the dense and dirty streets of London. Due to its excellent location near Delaware Bay and its accessible ports, Philadelphia grew rapidly in the 18th century, overtaking Boston and New York to become the second largest English-speaking city in the world (after London).

During the Revolutionary War, the Philadelphia population was split almost down the middle between Patriots and Loyalists. When the city fell to British troops in 1777, the Loyalists sang "God Save the King" in the streets. When the Patriots recaptured Philadelphia in 1778, most of the Loyalists fled with the British troops. The city itself was in a sorry state, with much of it burned, demolished, or reduced to rubble. Washington Square was covered with mounds of dirt marking the graves of captured Continental soldiers that had died at the hands of the British.

As the Philadelphians regrouped and rebuilt, the city once again became prosperous during the 19th century. It grew to cover the entirety of Philadelphia County, annexing surrounding communities such as Germantown and Fairmount Park. The city developed as an early railroad center and was home to the Pennsylvania Railroad. With its ample ports, shipping and shipbuilding also proved prosperous for Philadelphia. The Quakers had always placed a high value on education, so it was only natural that Philadelphia would emerge as a major educational center as well, boasting such prestigious institutions as Temple University, Philadelphia University, University of Pennsylvania, and nearby Bryn Mawr College.

Philadelphia's downtown area (known as "Center City") is a eclectic mix of modern high rises, Italian Renaissance and baroque stone structures dating back to Colonial times. For years, as the result of a legendary "gentlemen's agreement," the tallest building in Philadelphia was City Hall, with its enormous tower topped by a bronze statue of William Penn. In 1987, the massive One Liberty Place skyscraper was completed and City Hall lost its distinction as Philadelphia's most visible landmark. Since then, Philadelphia's major sports teams - the Eagles (NFL), the Flyers (NHL), the Phillies (MLB), and the 76ers (NBA) - have not won any championship games. Some Philadelphians claim this is a result of the broken gentlemen's agreement and refer to it as the Curse of Billy Penn. Center City also contains the neighborhood of Olde City (where Penn and the Quakers first settled) and Independence National Historical Park (where Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Philosophical Hall, and the National Constitution Center are located).

Philadelphia is a cultural center, home to the internationally renowned Philadelphia Orchestra and the Pennsylvania Ballet. Philadelphia's jazz scene during the 1950s gave rise to John Coltrane and Charlie Biddle, and Dick Clark's American Bandstand first debuted in 1952 (as Bandstand) on Philadelphia's WFIL-TV. The demand for portrait paintings prior to the American Revolution drew a number of prestigious artists to Philadelphia, and led to the founding of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. A number of galleries and museums, such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rodin Museum, are located in Olde City. Philadelphia also boasts the largest collection of public art in the U.S., courtesy of its innovative Mural Arts Program.

For all its culture and refinement, Philadelphia's contribution to the culinary world is the surprisingly lowbrow cheesesteak, a sandwich made with grilled shaved beef and cheese. Two restaurants in Philadelphia, Geno's Steaks and Pat's King of Steaks, claim to be the birthplace of the cheesesteak. Many restaurants offer some sort of variation on the cheesesteak, but perhaps the most ostentatious is the $100 Cheesesteak at Barclay Prime, made with Kobe beef, seared foie gras, and black truffle shavings, and served with a glass of champagne. Philadelphia is also famous for its cream cheese, soft pretzels, and Tastykakes.

Other points of interest in the Philadelphia area include the historic Park Hyatt at the Bellevue, the Philadelphia Zoo (which was the first zoo in the nation), and the King of Prussia Mall, located in nearby Montgomery County.