Today In History
5 Fun Facts About August 27 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the Revolutionary War and recognizing the United States as an independent nation. The signing took place in Paris, but the peace negotiations began in Paris, Pennsylvania. 2. On August 27, 1908, the first official Boy Scout troop in the...
5 Fun Facts About August 26 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1789, the first federal district court in Pennsylvania held its first session in Philadelphia. The court became a model for all other federal courts in the United States. 2. In 1839, the first railroad tunnel in the United States was completed in Pennsylvania. The Staple Bend Tunnel, located...
5 Fun Facts About August 25 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1825, the first section of the Schuylkill Canal was opened, connecting Philadelphia to the anthracite coal fields in the northern part of the state. This canal allowed for easier transportation of coal, which fueled the Industrial Revolution in the United States. 2. On August 25, 1945, the last...
5 Fun Facts About August 24 In Pennsylvania History
1. On August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops landed at Elk Landing in Maryland, which was then part of Pennsylvania. The troops marched towards Washington, D.C. where they burned many government buildings including the White House and the Capitol. 2. The Pennsylvania Turnpike opened on August...
5 Fun Facts About August 23 In Pennsylvania History
1. The Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association was formed on August 23, 1864. Two months after the end of the Battle of Gettysburg, the association was established to preserve the battlefield and honor those who fought and died during the conflict. 2. The Pennsylvania Dutch Festival, one of the largest and...
5 Fun Facts About August 22 In Pennsylvania History
1. On August 22, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the United States Post Office, which played a vital role in connecting and unifying the country during its early years. 2. In 1791, the first U.S. patent was issued to John Fitch, a resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for his...
5 Fun Facts About August 21 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1783, John Hanson, the first President of the Continental Congress, visited Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Hanson was a pivotal figure in American history, as he was the first to officially serve as President under the Articles of Confederation. 2. The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) was formed on August 21, 1846. The...
5 Fun Facts About August 20 In Pennsylvania History
1. On August 20, 1912, the famous boxer Joe Louis was born in Lafayette, Alabama. He later moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he became one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Louis is still revered today for his incredible boxing skills and his impact on the sport. 2....
5 Fun Facts About August 19 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1779, the Battle of Minisink took place near the Delaware River in what is now Pennsylvania. The battle, which was part of the American Revolutionary War, was fought between American forces and a group of British loyalists and Native Americans. The loyalists and Native Americans emerged victorious, but...
5 Fun Facts About August 18 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1787, the United States Constitution was signed in Philadelphia. This historical event took place in Independence Hall, which still stands and is a popular tourist destination. 2. On August 18, 1877, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) held their national encampment in Reading, Pennsylvania. The GAR was...
5 Fun Facts About August 17 In Pennsylvania History
1. On August 17, 1785, a state convention was held in Lancaster to ratify the United States Constitution. Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the document, after Delaware. 2. In 1807, the Pennsylvania state legislature passed an act establishing a state penitentiary in Philadelphia. The Eastern State Penitentiary, which...
5 Fun Facts About August 16 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1782, the first recorded ascent of a hot air balloon in America took place in Philadelphia. The balloon, flown by Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American physician John Jeffries, lifted off from the courtyard of the Walnut Street jail and landed safely in Deptford, New Jersey, after a flight...