Philadelphia is called the Birthplace of the Nation. It’s where America’s Founding Fathers declared independence from Great Britain and wrote the Constitution of the United States.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

The Founding Fathers gave birth to a new nation when they wrote the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776. They met in a building that became known as Independence Hall. The men voted to approve the Declaration on July 4th. The town’s citizens built bonfires, marched through the streets, and rang church bells when the Declaration of Independence was first read to the public.

By the time of the American Revolution, Philadelphia had become colonial America’s largest city. One of its most prominent residents was Benjamin Franklin.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

After the American Revolution ended with independence for the United States, the country needed to draw up a plan for its new government. Delegates from 12 states met in Philadelphia in 1787. They worked for nearly four months to create the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution expressed the new nation’s basic ideals.

Philadelphia became the nation’s capital in 1790. It remained the capital until 1800, when the government moved to the newly built Washington, D.C.

BROTHERLY LOVE

Englishman William Penn founded Philadelphia in 1682, nearly 100 years before the American Revolution. The name he chose comes from Greek words meaning “city of brotherly love.” Penn wanted people of all races and religious groups to live together in freedom and harmony.

Penn laid out Philadelphia where the Delaware River and the Schuylkill River meet. The deep Delaware River connects the city with the Atlantic Ocean 100 miles to the east. That connection helped make Philadelphia a major port.

MONUMENTS TO INDEPENDENCE

In downtown Philadelphia, visitors can see Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed. Nearby are the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, and many colonial buildings. The Liberty Bell was rung after the first reading of the Declaration of Independence and on July 4 for many years afterward. According to legend, Betsy Ross created the first American flag at her Philadelphia home. Elfreth’s Alley is a narrow street of colonial houses.

MODERN PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia today is the largest city in Pennsylvania. It is the nation’s fifth largest city. It has many museums and is a center of culture and education. The city and its suburbs have many colleges and universities. The University of Pennsylvania was founded in Philadelphia in 1740.

You might like to visit the Franklin Institute Science Museum. It has hands-on science exhibits for kids and an exhibit that demonstrates the wide-ranging curiosity of Benjamin Franklin.

Source: Microsoft ® Encarta

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