Happy Birthday, Pennsylvania!

Today is the anniversary of Pennsylvania ratifying the US Constitution and helping to create these  United States of America.
Date of Admittance: December 12, 1787

Parentage: The state was named after Sir William Penn, father of the Quakers, who was granted the land in 1681. 

Place in the Family 

Number 2

Pennsylvania was almost the first State but missed it by a week~! 

Delaware was first (12-7-1787)

and New Jersey was third (12-18-1787)

Motto 

"Virtue, liberty, & independence"

Definitely a product of the Revolutionary War.

 

Nick-Name 

The Keystone State

Because of its location in relation to the rest of the original 13 colonies as well as the fact that Philadelphia was our first Capital. 

On the License Plate 

The silhouette of the state

One of the most uninteresting plates in the country!

State Flag 

A plain blue banner with the state seal in the center.

This is just the seal on the flag. Not much else to say about it. 

 

First City You Probably Think of 

When You Think "Pennsylvania" 

Philadelphia

Actual State Capital:Harrisburg

State Size (Area) is 33rd of 50
Population is closer to 6th of 50

(per 2000 Census figures)

Personal Russell Fact (1): 
My father's family is from Philadelphia, so I have been there numerous times. Most of my cousins still live in or around the Philly area.

 

Personal Russell Fact (2): 
There is a "University City" in the Philadelphia area. This is the name of the town I grew up in outside of St. Louis. The first time I saw someone in Philly wearing a University City t-shirt I was totally confused. 
Now I just want one. :-) 

Pennsylvania Sports: 
NFL (Philadelphia Eagles)
 

NFL (Pittsburgh Steelers)
 

MLB (Philadelphia Phillies)
  

MLB (Pittsburgh Pirates)
 
   
NBA (Philadelphia 76ers)
 
   
NHL(Philadelphia Flyers)
 

NHL (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Anybody From Pennsylvania
Ever Grow Up To Be President?
Yes!
  The 15th President James Buchanan 
is the only President from Pennsylvania 
and also the only bachelor President.
Many consider him the worst President
for not working to forestall 
The Civil War while in office. 
  

Musical Pennsylvanians

Jimmy & Tommy Dorsey

Band Leaders in the 30s and 40s

Bill Haley & The Comets

"Rock Around The Clock"



Jim Croce

"Time In A Bottle"

Darryl Hall & John Oates

"Kiss On My List," "Private Eyes"

Poison

"Every Rose Has Its Thorn"


Boys II Men

"End of the Road"

Christina Aguilera

"Genie In a Bottle"

Pink

"F'ing Perfect"


Taylor Swift

"You Belong With Me"

Artists From Pennsylvania 

Louisa May Alcott

author

Andrew Wyeth

artist

"Christina's World"

Andy Warhol

artist

Steve Ditko

co-creator of  Spider-Man

and other comic-book characters

 

Mike Sekowsky

original Justice League artist

Jim Shooter

comic-book writer and editor

John Updike

author

Companies in Pennsylvania

 



American Bandstand 

started in Philadelphia

 

Celebrities From Pennsylvania

W.C. Fields

actor, comedian

Larry Fine

Second Stooge


James Stewart

Academy Award winning actor

(who won it for THE PHILADELPHIA STORY!) 

Shirley Jones

Academy Award winning actress

Frankie Avalon

Beach Blanket Idol

Jack Klugman

Emmy Award-winning actor

Russell Johnson

"The Professor"

Frank Gorshin

actor, comedian
 

Barbara Feldon

actress, "Get Smart"

Bill Cosby

actor, comedian

Charles Bronson

actor, "Death Wish"

Sherman Helmsley

actor, "The Jeffersons"

Mr. (Fred) Rogers

actor, producer

Billy Barty

actor, "Willow"

Peter Boyle

actor, "Young Frankenstein"

Kevin Bacon

he knows everybody

Richard Gere

actor, "An Officer and A Gentleman"

Jonathan Frakes

actor, "Star Trek The Next Generation"

Michael Keaton

actor, "Batman"

Will Smith

actor, singer

Seth Green

actor, comedian "Robot Chicken"

 

Tina Fey

actress, comedienne

Bradley Cooper

actor, "The Hangover"

 

A Song For You.... 
"Motown Philly" 
written by Dallas Austin, Michael Bivins, 
Nathan Morris, & Shawn Stookman
sung by Boys II Men

(featuring various sites in and around Philadelphia!)