Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1776Declaration of Independence Signed: Delegates from the thirteen colonies gathered at Independence Hall and adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The document, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, established the foundational principles of American democracy.

1787U.S. Constitution Drafted: The Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia from May to September, producing the framework of American government that endures to this day. The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787.

1793Yellow Fever Epidemic: A catastrophic yellow fever outbreak killed approximately 5,000 people — about 10% of Philadelphia's population. The crisis prompted the first organized public health response in American history and temporarily forced the federal government to flee the city.

1985MOVE Bombing: Philadelphia police dropped a bomb on the MOVE organization's fortified rowhouse, igniting a fire that killed 11 people, including 5 children, and destroyed 65 homes. The incident shocked the nation and raised profound questions about police use of force.

1854Act of Consolidation: Pennsylvania merged 29 surrounding boroughs, districts, and townships into the City of Philadelphia, expanding its territory from 2 to 130 square miles and making it the largest city in America by area.

1876Centennial Exposition: Philadelphia hosted the first official World's Fair in the United States, celebrating 100 years of independence. The exposition attracted 10 million visitors and showcased American industrial innovation, including Alexander Graham Bell's telephone.

1964North Philadelphia Race Riot: Three days of rioting in North Philadelphia left 341 injured and caused $3 million in damage. The unrest highlighted decades of racial discrimination in housing, employment, and policing.

1751Pennsylvania Hospital Founded: Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond established the first hospital in America, setting a precedent for public health institutions nationwide.

1790Philadelphia Becomes U.S. Capital: Philadelphia served as the temporary capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800, housing the federal government while Washington, D.C. was under construction.

2008Philadelphia Phillies Win World Series: The Phillies won their second World Series title, bringing a championship to Philadelphia for the first time in 25 years and igniting a citywide celebration.