July 20th is the date in 1776 that Pennsylvania became the 2nd state to join the union. Geographically centered among the 13 original colonies, the Keystone State is where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed.
PA was home to the likes of Daniel Boone, Betsy Ross, and the 15th President of the U.S., James Buchanan. The same is true for “Little Women” novelist Louisa May Alcott, pro golfer Arnold Palmer, and baseball star Reggie Jackson. Of course, Punxsutawney, PA is home to the Spring forecasting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.
In 1775 the first piano built in the U.S. was built in Philadelphia. In 1784 Philadelphia was also home to the nation’s first daily newspaper. And in 1909 the country’s first baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh. And here’s a perhaps long-forgotten spots tidbit: Due to the loss of many players serving in WWII, for 1 season in 1943, the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Stealers merged to form 1 team, the “Steagles.”
Unable to overlook culinary interests, Pennsylvania is home to many food favorites. Hershey is called the Chocolate Capital of the US, and Kennett Square is the Mushroom Capital of the US. From the Pennsylvania Dutch culture, came food favorites ranging from pot pies and sauerkraut to whoopie pies and funnel cakes. Philly Cheesesteak fans revel in the classic Italian roll heaped with sliced beef ribeye, sauteed onions, mushrooms, and peppers, and plenty of melted cheese. This famous sandwich was created in the 1930s by hot dog vendor Pat Olivieri.
Celebrate Pennsylvania today!
