Philadelphia International Visitors Guide 2008 - UK - (Page 8)

GET TO KNOW PHILADELPHIA History of the City Philadelphia is famous for its central role as the birthplace of America. Here’s how it all began: 1660 1681: King Charles II of England grants aristocrat William Penn a parcel of land between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. 1682: William Penn founds Philadelphia and begins building what he calls “a greene countrie towne.” He envisions a city designed in a grid pattern with wide streets and several green public spaces. Penn applies his Quaker ideals of racial and religious tolerance to the colony, setting in motion the forces that would define the America we know today. Early 1700s: Philadelphia grows rapidly as a port city, engaging in trade, staying connected to the global economy, and becoming the world’s second-largest English-speaking city. (London was the largest.) 1774: The First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia, beginning the quest for American freedom. 1776: Patriots meet at Pennsylvania State House to declare their independence from Great Britain. Over the next few years, Philadelphia is the site of major battles of the Revolutionary War. 1787: The new country’s founders meet at the State House, now renamed Independence Hall, to draft the Constitution. 1790: Philadelphia becomes the capital of the United States of America, remaining so until 1800. It is also home to the nation’s largest free Black population. 1800s: Philadelphia continues to serve as the nation’s centre of culture. After the Civil War, Philadelphia becomes the centre of America’s Industrial Revolution. 1820 This page: National Constitution Centre/©Weaver Multimedia Group; Opposite page, from left: Mural Arts Program/©Weaver Multimedia Group; LOVE Statue/©Weaver Multimedia Group 8 www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel http://www.philadelphiausa.travel

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Philadelphia International Visitors Guide 2008 - UK

Philadelphia International Visitors Guide 2008 - UK Contents Get to Know Philadelphia Fall in Love with Philadelphia Major Events Timelines: History of the City and Modern Philadelphia Independence National Historical Park Philadelphia's Visitor Centers Philadelphia Neighbourhoods and The Countryside Itinerary Ideas Attractions and Activities Museums, Arts & Culture, and Other Major Attractions Sports & Recreation Experiential Tours for Groups Dining & Nightlife Shopping Visitor Information & Transportation International Offices of the PCVB Currency Exchange International Language Translation Consulates Climate Data Approximate Flight Times from World Cities Approximate Travel Times to Other U.S. Cities Maps

Philadelphia International Visitors Guide 2008 - UK

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