What is Pennsylvania Known For?

Pennsylvania is an American state situated in the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern regions of the country. The state is surrounded by New York, Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia, Ohio, Lake Erie, Maryland, and Ontario (Canada). It is the thirty-third largest American state and occupies an area of about 46,055 sq miles. According to the 2010 US census, Pennsylvania is the sixth most populous state in the country and the ninth most densely populated. The most highly populated cities in Pennsylvania include Pittsburgh (303,625), and Philadelphia (1,567,872). Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania was one of the thirteen original U.S. founding states. Pennsylvania came into being in 1681 after the British monarch gave a land grant to William Penn. Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania were organized as the New Sweden Colony. Pennsylvania was the second American state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The constitution was drafted at the Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

6. Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is a document that was approved by the Second Continental Congress at the Independence Hall (previously known as the Pennsylvania State House) on July 4, 1776. The declaration announced the separation of the thirteen colonies from Britain. It also explained why the congress resolved that the territories have a right to be independent states. The declaration made sure that the new states took a step towards creating the United States of America. It was signed by delegates from Georgia, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New York, South Carolina, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire among others. The Lee Resolution was passed unanimously on July 2, 1776. It was a formal statement that declared the creation of a new nation made up of all the 13 states as independent states. The Committee of 5 prepared the declaration of Independence and presented it to the Second Congress. The members of the committee were Benjamin Franklin, Livingston Robert, Sherman Roger, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams.

5. Amish America

The Amish are members of a traditionalist Christian group that originated from the Swiss-German Anabaptist. They are known for their unwillingness to adopt modern technology, plain dress, and simple living. The Amish migrated to Pennsylvania during the eighteenth century. Currently, New Order Amish, Old Beachy Amish, and Old Order Amish still converse in Pennsylvania German. Pennsylvania has the highest number of Amish communities in the United States with the most significant and oldest Amish community in the world residing in Lancaster County. The Amish community in Lancaster has over 179 church districts. The Lancaster Amish community includes over 12 congregations situated in Chester County. Over 3,000 Amish still reside in the Indiana County while there are three distinct Amish groups in the Big Valley. The second oldest community in the continent lives in Somerset County.

4. Chocolate Capital of USA

Hershey, the Chocolate capital of the United States, is an unincorporated community in Derry Township. Hershey is situated 14 miles to the eastern side of Harrisburg, and it has no legal status; therefore Derry Township provides all its municipality services. Hershey is part of the Carlisle-Harrington Metropolitan Statistical Region. Hershey is also known as ‘’the sweetest place in the world’’ or ‘’Chocolatetown, USA’’. Milton Hershey established Chocolatetown in 1903 as a place for his chocolate factory near Derry Church. He built the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and also financed the building of a sports arena, hotel and community center during the 1930s. Hershey Foods Corporation is still the main industry in the region even though Hershey is a resort region with numerous golf courses, a zoo, a sports arena, botanical garden and the theme park.

3. Cheesesteak Sandwich

The Cheesesteak, commonly known as a cheesesteak sandwich or Philly cheesesteak, is a sandwich made using melted cheese and pieces of beefsteak in a hoagie roll. Cheesesteak originated from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The outstanding regional fast food was developed during the twentieth century, by combining cheese, onions, and beef in a loaf of bread. Harry and Pat Olivien are credited for creating a sandwich by adding chopped steak on an Italian roll during the 1930s. Although the story behind this invention is highly debated, numerous narrations claimed that Harry and Pat operated a hot dog stand. One day they made a sandwich, and while Pat was eating it, a cab driver asked for one of the sandwiches, and after tasting it, he proposed that they should start selling sandwiches instead of hot dogs. Initially, The sandwich was prepared without cheese, but Joe Lorenzo added provolone cheese to the sandwich.

2. Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell is an American independence symbol. It is found in Philadelphia. The bell was previously installed in the steeple of the present day Independence Hall. Currently, it is in the Independence National Historical Park. The Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly commissioned it from Lester and Pack, London in 1752. The bell cracked after it arrived and was recast by John Stow and John Pass.The bell was previously used to alert the locals about proclamations and public meeting and summon the lawmakers to their legislative sessions. After America gained their independence, the bell was forgotten until when the abolitionist society adopted it in the 1830s. It acquired a huge crack during the early nineteenth century when it was rung to announce the death of Chief Justice Marshall. The National Park Service took custody of the bell after the Second World War.

1. Original Colony

The colony of Pennsylvania is one of the thirteen colonies of America that were split into three regions. These regions included the southern colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the New England Colonies. Pennsylvania together with New Jersey, Delaware, and New York colonies formed the Middle Colonies. William Penn founded the colony of Pennsylvania in 1682. King James II named the territory after Admiral Sir William Penn and the Latin term ‘’Sylvania’’ which means woodland. The two names ‘’Penn’’ and ‘’Sylvania’’ were merged to create ‘’Pennsylvania’’ meaning ‘’Penn’s Woods’’. The colony remained under the Penn family until when the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was established. The lower Delaware counties within Pennsylvania Province broke away from the state during the American Revolution to become of the original states.