by Patricia Sicilia

Created on: June 30, 2008

Fourth of July in Philadelphia, My Hometown!

Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Ben Franklin, John Legend, Fireworks, Gourmet Chefs on the Sidewalk, Hey, Yo, What More Could You Want?

I am never prouder to be a Philadelphian than over the Fourth of July. The "eighteenth of April in seventy-five" may have been when Paul Revere warned "Mahsachusetts" that "the British are coming," but it was on July 4,1776, in Philadelphia that we signed the Declaration of Independence and let King George know that we were mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore! And over Independence Week, we don't let anyone forget it!

Philadelphia has so many historical sites, it's almost not fair to the rest of the country: Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Constitution Hall, the Betsy Ross House and Christ Church . . . I could go on, but instead, why don't "youse guys" go on, into Philly over the Fourth where not only can you get a darn good history lesson, but take part in, be entertained and well fed during the Welcome America Festival. Every year, the "Welcome America Festival" offers a week of music and dance, blockbuster movies, concerts, a parade, and educational activities for all ages. And food, food and more food! If you click on this link, you will be directed to click for a printable color Calendar of Events of the whole week.
http://www.americasbirthday.com/calendar.asp

HIS TORY
Start your visit at the Liberty Bell, wander over to Independence Hall, go next door to Constitution Hall and don't miss Ben Franklin's print shop. (Several scenes for "National Treasure" were filmed at Independence Hall, and I was lucky enough to be passing by one day while they were filming a scene with Nicholas Cage in the courtyard!) This site will not only give you a map of the area, but also lay out seven walking tours. http://www.ushistory.org/districts/historicdistrict/ indep_.htm

Close to Independence Hall is Christ Church's Burial Ground, the resting place of many prominent Philadelphians. They include signers of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin and his wife Deborah (don't forget to leave Ben a penny), and John Dunlap, who printed the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. http://www.gophila.com/C/Things_to_Do/211/History/20 9/U/Christ_Church_Burial_Ground/236.html
(Despite rumors as to his demise, Benjamin Franklin always seems to make an appearance in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July. You're liable to run into him anywhere, so keep your camera ready.)

It would be a crime

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