Pennsylvania

In 1638, Swedes established a colony in what's now Delaware; by 1643, they had extended their settlement into now-Philadelphia.  They were farmers and used African slaves to clear and work the land.  The land changed hands back and forth until it ended up in British hands.

In 1681, King Charles II signed a charter to William Penn to establish a colony of Quakers, which would both get rid of the pacifist and treasonist Quakers from England and also settle a debt of gratitude to Penn's father.  The king named it Pennsylvania.
About 70% of Pennsylvanians were born in PA, the highest rate in the US.

In 1688, 4 Quakers issued a document protesting slavery, the 1st organized antislavery protest in history.  But by 1730, there were about 4,000 African slaves in PA.  However, in 1781, when the British surrendered at Yorktown and the Articles of Confederation were being written, PA passed an Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery and, by 1840, there were only 64 slaves left in PA.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

PA produces more canned mushrooms than any other state.  Hershey is the world's biggest producer of chocolate and cocoa products.

PA has more amusement parks than any other state.

About three-fifths of PA is still forested.

Port of Philadelphia

The Port of Philadelphia is the largest freshwater port in the world.

PA's supreme court is the oldest court in North America, having been established in 1722.

PA is one of only a few states that designates itself a "commonwealth," a term originally preferred because it felt more independent and less a colony belonging to a government.


The University of PA, established in 1753 by Benjamin Franklin, was the 1st nondenominational university in the US.

East and West Paden Bridges

PA has more covered bridges than any other state.  East and West Paden Bridges on Huntington Creek are the only twin covered bridges in the US.

Lancaster Central Market

Lancaster Central Market is the US's oldest continuous farmer's market.

PA has an official state flagship (Niagara, commanded by Comm. Perry), an official state dog (Great Dane, owned by Wm. Penn), an official state bumper sticker (I brake for shoo-fly pie), an official state steam locomotive (the K4) and electric locomotive (the GCI 4859), and an official state beautification plant (crown vetch).

Crown Vetch