Philly Cheesesteak Time Travel: How Old is the City of Brotherly Love?
Ever wonder how long Philly's been slinging cheesesteaks and ringing the Liberty Bell? Buckle up, history buffs (and hungry tourists) because we're about to take a trip through time to uncover the age of this iconic American city.
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| How Old Is The City Of Philadelphia |
From Lenape to Liberty Bell: A Quick History Tour
Spoiler alert: Philly isn't exactly a fresh-faced youngster. The land where the city sprawls was actually inhabited by the Lenape people for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. Respect to the original Philadelphians!
Fast forward to 1682, and enter William Penn, a Quaker dude with a dream of religious freedom. He landed on the scene, scored some land from King Charles II of England (sweet deal!), and baptized the place "Philadelphia" which means "City of Brotherly Love" (though let's be honest, with all that sports team rivalry, the jury's still out on that one).
So, how old does that make Philly today (as of 2024)? Do some quick mental math (or whip out your calculator, no judgement) and you'll land on a grand total of 342 years old! That's a lot of cheesesteaks, Rocky montages, and Ben Franklin inventions.
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Philly Fun Facts: Because Why Not?
- Philly claims the title of America's first capital city (although that lasted about as long as a cheesesteak on a hot day).
- We've got the Liberty Bell, a symbol of freedom that's (thankfully) cracked, not broken.
- We're home to cheesesteaks, hoagies, and Tastykakes, so come hungry (and with a serious sweet tooth).
Basically, Philly's a city steeped in history with a whole lot of deliciousness on the side.
FAQ: Your Philly Age-Ology Questions Answered
How to find out more about Philly's history?
The Mutter Museum (it's exactly what it sounds like...fascinating and slightly creepy) and the National Constitution Center are great places to start.
Reminder: Revisit older posts — they stay useful.
How to celebrate Philly's birthday (even though it's not for a while)?
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Grab a cheesesteak (Pat's or Geno's, the debate rages on), run up the Rocky steps, and yell "Yo Adrian!" Bonus points for wearing a cheesesteak costume (though you might get some strange looks).
How to avoid arguments about who has the best cheesesteak?
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
There's no winning this battle. Just enjoy the deliciousness and maybe try a hoagie while you're at it.
How to impress your friends with your newfound Philly knowledge?
Drop the fact that Philly has the first zoo in America (it's pretty sweet, check it out!).
Reminder: Reading twice often makes things clearer.
How to convince your friends to visit Philly?
Tell them about the cheesesteaks, the history, and the Rocky steps. They won't be able to resist!
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