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Friday, February 5, 2016

PENNSYLVANIA FUN FACTS



You might think you know your home state like the back of your hand, but think again. There are always new and interesting things to learn about the place you call home– from historical facts, to weird laws, to state firsts, here are some quirky and fun things you may not have known about Pennsylvania.

1. The state insect is the firefly.
1. The state insect is the firefly.

2. The oldest gas station in the US is located in Altoona.
2. The oldest gas station in the US is located in Altoona.


3. Pennsylvania is one of the few U.S. states that is a commonwealth, which has no legal meaning butemphasizes the role of the people in the state’s government. (The others are Kentucky, Virginia, andMassachusetts.)
3. Pennsylvania is one of the few U.S. states that is a commonwealth, which has no legal meaning but emphasizes the role of the people in the state's govenment. (The others are Kentucky, Virginia, and Massachusets.)


4. The third biggest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, is Allentown.
4. The third biggest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, is Allentown.

5. The nation’s oldest golf course is located in Clarion.
5. The nation's oldest golf course is located in Clarion.

6. The Monongahela River, located in Western PA, is unique in that it flows north.
6. The Monongahela River, located in Western PA, is unique in that it flows north.

7. The first department store in the U.S. was located in Philadelphia. It was called Wanamaker’s.7. The first department store in the U.S. was located in Philadelphia. It was called Wanamaker's.

"The Grand Court"
8. The only president from Pennsylvania was James Buchanan.8. The only president from Pennsylvania was James Buchanan.

"James Buchanan" by From Brady daguerreotype (Mathew Brady) (1822-1896) - Library of Congress. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

9. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers merged to form the Steagles for one season in 1943. The teams merged because both lost so many players to military service during WWII.9. The Philadephia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers merged to form the Steagles for one season in 1943. The teams merged because both lost so many players to military service during WWII.

"Steagles photo" by Courtesy Urban Archives, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia

10. One weird Pennsylvania law forbids singing in the bathtub. Another forbids the sweeping of dirt underneath a rug. (could that be Obama?)10. One weird Pennsylvania law forbids singing in the bathtub. Another forbids the sweeping of dirt underneath a rug.

11. Pennsylvania has the highest Amish population in the world.11. Pennsylvania has the highest Amish population in the world.

12. Kennett Square, PA is the mushroom capital of the world. It produces one million pounds of mushrooms per year and has an annual mushroom festival.
12. Kennett Square, PA is the mushroom capital of the world. It produces one million pounds of mushrooms per year and has an annual mushroom festival.

13. The most haunted house in the country was once considered to be the Congeleier House on RidgeSt. in Pittsburgh.13. The most haunted house in the country was once considered to be the Congeleier House on Ridge St. in Pittsburgh.

14. The first complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton can be found in the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.14. The first complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton can be found in the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.

15. The world’s largest furry convention, Anthrocon, occurs in Pittsburgh every year.
15. The world's largest furry convention, Anthrocon, occurs in Pittsburgh every year.

16. The first baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh.16. The first baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh.

17. In 1946, the world’s first computer was used in Philadelphia.17. In 1946, the world's first computer was used in Philadelphia.

"Eniac" by Unknown - U.S. Army Photo. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
18. Pennsylvania was the only colony of the original thirteen that did not border the Atlantic Ocean.
18. Pennsylvania was the only colony of the original thirteen that did not border the Atlantic Ocean.

19. Benjamin Franklin started the country’s first zoo in Philadelphia.
19. Benjamin Franklin started the country's first zoo in Philadelphia.

20. The official state beverage is milk. Mmm.
20. The official state beverage is milk. Mmm.