Top 10 Fun Facts About Pennsylvania
As one of the oldest states in our country, Pennsylvania is a treasure trove of history, culture, and stories. Get to know the Keystone State with these 10 fun facts about Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh is the home of the first baseball stadium
The first baseball game was played in New Jersey. But Pittsburgh helped breathe life into America’s greatest pastime with the first official baseball stadium. It was called Forbes Field and was in operation from 1909 until 1970.
Hershey, PA is the chocolate capital of the USA.
American chocolatier Milton Hershey has become a household name with its line of chocolates, including classic Hershey, Reese’s, Kit Kats, and more. The brand has since grown to include the Hersheypark theme park, Hersheyland Chocolate World, and a number of other brands under the Hershey umbrella.
The slinky was invented in Pennsylvania.
This classic toy, now owned by Alex Brands, first appeared in a Gimbel’s department store in Philadelphia. Other notable inventions include the Ferris wheel, the pencil/eraser combo, the polio vaccine, the movie theater, and the gas station (the oldest gas station in the country still stands in Altoona).
Bubble gum also got its start in Pennsylvania.
Experiments to create a stretchier version of chewing gum led to the development of bubble gum. The formula first became successful under the Dubble Bubble name.
The first daily newspaper was published in Philadelphia.
The newspaper dates back to 1784 and was called the Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser. Today, the Philadelphia Inquirer remains the largest newspaper, with roots tracing back to the 1930s.
Punxsutawney holds the famous Groundhog’s Day celebration each year.
The town is home to Punxsutawney Phil, the clever little groundhog that helps us predict the arrival of an early spring. If he sees his shadow, expect six more weeks of winter.
Pennsylvania cuisine is some of the best in the USA.
Popular dishes like the Philly Cheesesteak and classic staples like potato chips got their start in PA. Tastykakes, soft pretzels, and banana splits were also invented here.
The first computer was built in PA.
Though Pennsylvania isn’t a name synonymous with the tech industry, it is the root of daily life as we know it. The first computer was built at the University of Pennsylvania in 1943 and unknowingly changed the course of life as we now know it.
Pennsylvania has a state insect — the firefly.
Elementary school students in Upper Darby petitioned the PA government for six months to make the firefly the official state insect.
Two NFL teams in Pennsylvania once merged to form one team in 1943 — the Steagles.
A portmanteau of the Steeler and the Eagles, both teams decided to play as one in 1943 because they had lost so many players to WW2.
