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The one question I'd like to see answered for Philly, is beyond the obvious birth of the nation and the flag etc from Philadelphia in the late 18th and early 19th century, how much more "historical" is Philadelphia than many other American cities, in the more recent history of the US? From 1900 and on how much more "history" has Philadelphia provided than a Boston or New York; Chicago etc. I'd argue it's no better than even with most other major older cities.
I just wrote a long answer to that question in the other thread. Between 1880-1920 Philadelphia was the China of the day, and housed the largest corpation in the world. Held the worlds first offical worlds fair in 1876, which demonstrated a lot of different things that have become common place in our world like department stores.
The one question I'd like to see answered for Philly, is beyond the obvious birth of the nation and the flag etc from Philadelphia in the late 18th and early 19th century, how much more "historical" is Philadelphia than many other American cities, in the more recent history of the US? From 1900 and on how much more "history" has Philadelphia provided than a Boston or New York; Chicago etc. I'd argue it's no better than even with most other major older cities.
That's kind of what I was getting at - but not just for Philly. Different cities were more historically prominent at different times.
I understand - and agree - that certain cities like NYC, Philly, and Boston are very old, therefore they must have more history - makes sense, they have been around longer. But still - they're sometimes outshone at certain parts of history by other, newer cities. In the long run, the fact that they're older doesn't necessarily make them the most historic. The most historic in some category - like colonial days/Revolutionary War, sure. And I know many love and think first of colonial history, but other cities that were formed later also have great, important history as well and may have been more prominent at certain times than the older cities. *shrug* It's just something to think of. I would still probably vote for our oldest Northeastern cities - because I for one really love colonial/early American history and think that was clearly the most important time in our history considering without it we wouldn't even exist - but I acknowledge your point and agree.
Location: That star on your map in the middle of the East Coast, DMV
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Originally Posted by thedirtypirate
I just wrote a long answer to that question in the other thread. Between 1880-1920 Philadelphia was the China of the day, and housed the largest corpation in the world.
Ok I hear you, where's the link from the other thread?
Boston and Charleston both have preserved a lot of their colonial history and have huge impact on US history. Philadelphia has a huge impact on US history too but has it preserved as much of its history??? I don't know, never been to central Philadelphia so I just don't know.
Also Philadelphia was an industrial giant really up until the 1950s
some other significant items
First Worlds Fair
Very instrumental in the Underground railroad
Many Music histories
First Stock Exchange
Navy Yard and Significance in WWII
many minor ones too
First Department Store
Start of Mothers Day
etc.
It actually has quite storied history really moreso than most
Yea no doubt Philadelphia is/was ahead of most cities in terms of being a first in a lot of categories, I'm just getting at the fact that there is an over 200 year history now of the country so many cities smaller or larger have become very historic over time as well, Especially post 1900.
Yea no doubt Philadelphia is/was ahead of most cities in terms of being a first in a lot of categories, I'm just getting at the fact that there is an over 200 year history now of the country so many cities smaller or larger have become very historic over time as well, Especially post 1900.
And still would say probably more post 1900 history than most coupled with a ton of history back 300 plus years.
Things like ENIAC - widely considered the first computer
To a huge amount of medical advancements
Things like MOVE
Live Aid and Live 8
Papal visits - is coming again this fall
Conventions
Organizations
I think you are underestimating the history of philadelphia in the modern sense to be honest
Boston and Charleston both have preserved a lot of their colonial history and have huge impact on US history. Philadelphia has a huge impact on US history too but has it preserved as much of its history??? I don't know, never been to central Philadelphia so I just don't know.
Philadelphia has the largest collection of preserved colonial architecture in the world actually
Other than the industrial things I posted in the other comments, Philly had the tallest building in the world from 1901-1908.
^good call kidphilly
also what many consider the first modern skyscraper with a full climate control in the PSFS building now the Lowes hotel
people focus on the Declaration but a ton of history before and after and even in the modern sense
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