Historic Philadelphia!

Philadelphia is considered the birthplace of the United States of America.  It was the site where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both debated and signed.  It was also the nation's capital for ten years. 

In 1751 the Pennsylvania Assembly ordered a 2,000 pound bell from London to hang in the bell tower of the State House--now called Independence Hall.  It was in celebration of the 50th anniversary of William Penn's charter which granted religious freedom and political self-governement to the colony.

A bible verse was place on the bell: Leviticus 25:10  "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." 

The city of Philadelphia purchased the old State House with its bell from the state in 1818.  Today, the Liberty Bell is an internationally recognized symbol of freedom.

We loved seeing it in person.  That's an amazing shot that Dan got above as there were lots of people around.

(I love having my own blog photographer!)

Some views of Independence Hall:

It was in this Assembly Room that the Second Continental Congress debated and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.  Eleven years later in 1787, delegates met to discuss, draft and sign the Constitution of the United States.

This is the actual chair that George Washington used for nearly three months of the Federal Convention's continuous sessions. 

It is called the Rising Sun Armchair.  

Here is the detail symbolic of the new nation.

We also toured Congress Hall next door.  Several men who would become President served here including Adams, Madison, Monroe, Jackson and W. H. Harrison!

From 1790 to 1800 the House met on the ground floor (lower house),

and the Senate met upstairs (upper house).

Another day we walked over and toured the Graff House now known as Declaration House. Thirty-three year old Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in three weeks while lodging on the 2nd floor of the house.

Representation of the room where he worked:

How could he write it so fast?  Must have been some late nights.  As our tour guide pointed out, perhaps having this across the street might have helped?!!!

Philadelphia's most famous citizen and his friend:

Benjamin Franklin organized America’s first public postal service. As the first postmaster general of the United States, he appeared on America’s first postage stamp.  Franklin’s Post Office is still open for business:

Franklin’s print shop was employed for government printing, books, newspapers, and broadsides (posters). Franklin even used his print shop to publish his own book, Poor Richard’s Almanac, one of America’s first bestsellers. Some of his classic one-liners that have become part of American life are: “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise;” 

Franklin’s contributions to Philadelphia include the first free library, the first fire company, the American Philosophical Society, the University of Pennsylvania, the post office, as well as the use of paper money and the bestseller Poor Richard’s Almanac. His contributions to science include the first swimming flippers, bifocals, the Franklin stove, and of course the lightning rod.  Franklin’s contributions to government include the signing of the Declaration of Independence, leadership in the Constitutional Convention, and service in the congress of Pennsylvania and as America’s ambassador to France during the Revolutionary War.
We visited the Franklin Museum which was really interesting!
Here are some portraits of Franklin through the years:

After visiting the museum, one of my first reactions was: 

He was such a character!

Final stop: The Betsy Ross House

Betsy Ross was a widow working as a seamstress who, according to a strongly held tradition, sewed our first stars and stripes at the request of General Washington.

I thought this was interesting: If she did sew the flag, she worked on it up in her bedroom, not in her sewing room downstairs.  She could have been arrested for treason.

So much to see and learn in Philadelphia about our country's history.  So glad we bought this puzzle to help us remember all the sites!