‘Fun’ Facts

Philadelphia has a great political history.  Not only did it serve as the capital of the USA for one decade – from 1790 until 1800- but it also appears that the first American flag was fashioned by a local, Betsy Ross.

Philadelphia also boasts a colourful culinary history.  In the 1839 book “Aristocracy in America” British author Francis Grund wrote that Philadelphians ” have more taste, and have the best cooks in the United States.”  Indeed, Philadelphia has given the world pretzels, the ‘cheese steak’ and lemon meringue pie.  Well ahead of its time, throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Philadelphia was known for vegetarian cookery.  Unfortunately, its spiritual center of vegetarianism – the Bible Christian Church, located in Third Street above Girard Avenue – was later demolished to make way for a slaughter house.

Atlantic City boasted the nation’s first Boardwalk (1870), the world’s first Big Wheel (1892), the first color postcards (1893) and hosted the world’s first Miss World pageant.  (You may be under the impression that it is “one of the nation’s leading achievement programs”, but it was, in fact, but cyncial ploy to extend the tourist season.  ‘So, what would you to do achieve world peace?’!  hmm. Indeed.)

Connecticut was the first of the US colonies to have a constitution.