History

Philadelphia [1] has one of the oldest and richest histories of any U.S. city, along with a great wealth of monuments and attractions that keep that history alive. Considered the birthplace of the nation, Philadelphia is most famous for its central role in the Revolutionary War. The seeds of Revolution, major battles, and the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution all took place right here, and Philadelphia was the nation’s capital for the first ten years.

But while the late 18th century was undeniably one of the most fascinating periods in Philadelphia’s [1] history, that is only part of the story. Beginning before William Penn arrived and continuing with the rebirth taking place today, the city’s tumultuous and storied past spans more than 300 years. This chapter merely scratches the surface. Visiting the city’s many historic sights will reveal still more, but history buffs should also be sure to check out the Suggested Reading [2] list (most notably Philadelphia: A 300-Year History).