Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is located in the Eastern Untied States. Along with Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Virginia, it is one of four states to use the term "Commonwealth" in its official name. The geographic environment is characterized by the Appalachian Mountains, the Allegheny Mountains and the Pocono Mountains. Approximately 60 percent of the state is forested.
At the time of the arrival of Europeans, the area was inhabited by various Native American peoples, the largest of which were the Lenape and Susquehannock. In the early 17th century, the Dutch and Swedes established their first colonies in Delaware and also claimed parts of Pennsylvania. As a result of the Third Anglo-Dutch War, England gained control of the area, and in 1681 King Charles II granted a land charter to William Penn, who then founded the Province of Pennsylvania. Although Penn suggested calling the colony just "Sylvania" (Latin for "woods"), the king gave it the name "Pennsylvania," which literally means "Penn's Woods," in honor of William's prominent father, Admiral Sir William Penn.
Pennsylvania was one of the Thirteen Colonies that demanded independence from the British Empire, and Philadelphia was the meeting place of the Founding Fathers during the American Revolution. After the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in Independence Hall on 4th July 1776, Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the Constitution on 12th December 1787, joining the Union after Delaware. As one-third of Pennsylvania’s population spoke German at that time, the Constitution was also created in German language in addition to English. The state motto is "Virtue, Liberty and Independence."
Because of its central location among the Thirteen Colonies and its crucial role in the founding process of the U.S., Pennsylvania is also called the "Keystone State" in allusion to the keystone at the apex of a vault. Thus, keystones are much-used symbols in Pennsylvania, for example in many logos or the license plates. Philadelphia served as the U.S. capital from 1790 to 1800 before it was relocated to Washington D.C.
Facts
- Capital city: Harrisburg
- Largest city: Philadelphia
- Area: 46,055 square miles (119,283 km²)
- Population: 13 million
- Date of statehood: 12th December 1787
- Rank of the admission: 2nd
Pennsylvania Folding Card
Born in Philadelphia, Grace Kelly was one of the most successful U.S. actresses of the 1950s and was awarded not only the Golden Globe but also the Oscar for her performance in "The Country Girl" (1954). By marrying Rainier III in 1956, the Hollywood star became the Princess of Monaco. This note from the 50 U.S. States Program depicts Grace Kelly, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge connecting Philadelphia to Camden, New Jersey, a map of Pennsylvania with a keystone symbol, the state motto "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence," and the year of admission to the Union.
100 Souvenir Dollars
Obverse: Grace Kelly (1929–1982), actress and Princess of Monaco (1956–1982), Benjamin Franklin Bridge across Delaware River connecting Philadelphia and Camden (New Jersey), geographic depiction of Pennsylvania with keystone symbol
Reverse: United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., seals of the commemorative series
| Dimensions: 7.07 x 3.00 inches (179.50 x 76.20 mm) Material: Paper |
