Patriotism can embody a lot of different things; contributing to your country, showing love for your country, remaining loyal to that country, and more. Pennsylvania does all of these things and has since the founding of the United States. Its incredible history and economic contributions to America should leave no one doubting the patriotism of Pennsylvanians. Here are a few reasons why…
- Philadelphia was integral in the United States’ beginnings.
Wikimedia Commons From 1790- 1800, while the Federal City was being built in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia served as the temporary capital of the country. Above is the presidential mansion that George Washington and John Adams lived in; it is located at 6th & Market Streets. Philadelphia played other roles in the nations history, also…
- The Liberty Bell is kept in Philadelphia.
Wikimedia Commons One of the most famous symbols of American independence has always made its home in Pennsylvania. You may have seen it on display in Philadelphia, but did you know that it was hidden in Allentown during the Revolutionary War? To keep it safe from the British, soldiers hid it underneath the floorboards in a church.
- Some of our country’s most important documents were penned in Pennsylvania.
Wikimedia Commons Both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted in Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
- Pennsylvania was originally established as a place that embraced American ideals.
Wikimedia Commons William Penn purchased the land that would become the colony of Pennsylvania from the local Lenape tribe and, legend has it, signed a treaty of friendship with them. William Penn wanted anyone to be able to practice their beliefs without persecution, and so the relations between Pennsylvanian settlers and local Native people were better than in many of the other colonies at the time. William Penn named Philadelphia to embrace these ideals– the word is Greek for “Brotherly Love.”
- Even more amazing American history can be found here.
Wikimedia Commons Even outside of Philadelphia, America finds much of its roots and earliest tales in Pennsylvania. Valley Forge is the site where the American Continental Army spent one brutal winter from 1777-1778. Above is the house where George and Martha Washington lived for this year. Today, Valley Forge is home to memorials and monuments from that winter.
- The most significant battle during the Civil War was fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Jen Goellnitz/ Flickr The battle of Gettysburg was fought from July 1-3, 1863, and is often described as the turning point of the Civil War… And also the bloodiest. President Lincoln made his famous Gettysburg Address a few months after the battle ended.
- Pennsylvanians love to show their patriotism through voting.
Kheel Center/ Flickr In the 2012 presidential election, nearly 6 million Pennsylvanians cast their ballots.
- Pennsylvanians represent a broad spectrum of political beliefs and is a ground for genuine American debate.
Wikimedia Commons During presidential elections, Pennsylvania tends to get extra attention from candidates because it is a swing state. The map above depicts the outcomes from all of the US swing states from the 2012 election– Pennsylvania voted in favor of Obama by less than 8%.
- Pennsylvania encompasses all different political beliefs and lifestyles.
fishhawk/ Flickr From the city, to the country… We have it all in Pennsylvania. With two large cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, that serve as urban centers for the state, and hundreds of miles of rural paradise, Pennsylvania is a picture of American diversity.
- Pennsylvania is the second most musically patriotic state in the nation.
Jaime Dillen-Seibel/ Flickr This year Spotify ranked all of the states based on which played the most patriotic music over the Fourth of July weekend. Pennsylvania ranked second, after Texas.
- Pennsylvania agriculture contributes helps keep our country strong.
Nicholas A. Tonelli/ Flickr Traditionally, agriculture is the backbone of American… and, well, any, society. Pennsylvania has over 60,000 farms that cover over 7.8 million acres. Its exports range from livestock, to milk, to fruits, to grains, and more. Kennett Square is the leading producer of mushrooms in the entire country.
- Pennsylvania steel built America.
Bob Jagendorf/ Flickr Pittsburgh, Bethlehem, Johnstown, and more: Pennsylvania steel mills manufactured much of the steel that was exported across the country.
- Pennsylvania has a large veteran population.
Thomas/ Flickr Almost 1 million Pennsylvania residents are veterans; that’s more than in Ohio, Virginia, or New York.
- Pennsylvanians will fight for their country.
Pennsylvania National Guard/ Flickr Pennsylvania has 24,435 military civilians and 2,622 active duty military members.
- Pennsylvanians love their country above all else.
mystuart (on and off)/ Flickr Above is a photograph of the inside of the Pennsylvania state capitol building in Harrisburg. As you can see… We love to display our patriotism for America.
What else would you add to this list? Share down below.
Wikimedia Commons
From 1790- 1800, while the Federal City was being built in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia served as the temporary capital of the country. Above is the presidential mansion that George Washington and John Adams lived in; it is located at 6th & Market Streets. Philadelphia played other roles in the nations history, also…
One of the most famous symbols of American independence has always made its home in Pennsylvania. You may have seen it on display in Philadelphia, but did you know that it was hidden in Allentown during the Revolutionary War? To keep it safe from the British, soldiers hid it underneath the floorboards in a church.
Both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted in Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
William Penn purchased the land that would become the colony of Pennsylvania from the local Lenape tribe and, legend has it, signed a treaty of friendship with them. William Penn wanted anyone to be able to practice their beliefs without persecution, and so the relations between Pennsylvanian settlers and local Native people were better than in many of the other colonies at the time. William Penn named Philadelphia to embrace these ideals– the word is Greek for “Brotherly Love.”
Even outside of Philadelphia, America finds much of its roots and earliest tales in Pennsylvania. Valley Forge is the site where the American Continental Army spent one brutal winter from 1777-1778. Above is the house where George and Martha Washington lived for this year. Today, Valley Forge is home to memorials and monuments from that winter.
Jen Goellnitz/ Flickr
The battle of Gettysburg was fought from July 1-3, 1863, and is often described as the turning point of the Civil War… And also the bloodiest. President Lincoln made his famous Gettysburg Address a few months after the battle ended.
Kheel Center/ Flickr
In the 2012 presidential election, nearly 6 million Pennsylvanians cast their ballots.
During presidential elections, Pennsylvania tends to get extra attention from candidates because it is a swing state. The map above depicts the outcomes from all of the US swing states from the 2012 election– Pennsylvania voted in favor of Obama by less than 8%.
fishhawk/ Flickr
From the city, to the country… We have it all in Pennsylvania. With two large cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, that serve as urban centers for the state, and hundreds of miles of rural paradise, Pennsylvania is a picture of American diversity.
Jaime Dillen-Seibel/ Flickr
This year Spotify ranked all of the states based on which played the most patriotic music over the Fourth of July weekend. Pennsylvania ranked second, after Texas.
Nicholas A. Tonelli/ Flickr
Traditionally, agriculture is the backbone of American… and, well, any, society. Pennsylvania has over 60,000 farms that cover over 7.8 million acres. Its exports range from livestock, to milk, to fruits, to grains, and more. Kennett Square is the leading producer of mushrooms in the entire country.
Bob Jagendorf/ Flickr
Pittsburgh, Bethlehem, Johnstown, and more: Pennsylvania steel mills manufactured much of the steel that was exported across the country.
Thomas/ Flickr
Almost 1 million Pennsylvania residents are veterans; that’s more than in Ohio, Virginia, or New York.
Pennsylvania National Guard/ Flickr
Pennsylvania has 24,435 military civilians and 2,622 active duty military members.
mystuart (on and off)/ Flickr
Above is a photograph of the inside of the Pennsylvania state capitol building in Harrisburg. As you can see… We love to display our patriotism for America.
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