Welcome to Pennsylvania, a state with a big role in American history! It’s often called the Keystone State because it’s like a key piece in the puzzle of the United States. Pennsylvania was the second state to agree to the U.S. Constitution on December 12, 1787. Let’s explore why Pennsylvania is so special and what makes it an important part of America.
Philadelphia, the biggest city in Pennsylvania, is super important in American history. In 1776, something amazing happened there—the Declaration of Independence was signed at a place called Independence Hall. This is where America officially became its own country! Later, the U.S. Constitution, which is like the rulebook for the country, was also written there. This makes Philadelphia a very important place for American democracy, which means the way the country is run by the people.
Did you know that Philadelphia was once the capital of the United States? From 1790 to 1800, it was the center of all the big decisions and plans for the country. This means a lot of important things happened there that helped shape the future of America.
Pennsylvania is also famous for some amazing people and symbols. One of these people is Benjamin Franklin, who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He helped make America what it is today. Another famous symbol is the Liberty Bell, which stands for American independence. You can see it in Philadelphia, and it’s a big part of the city’s history.
Besides its history, Pennsylvania is also known for something delicious—chocolate! The town of Hershey is where the Hershey Company, the biggest chocolate maker in North America, started. People love visiting Hershey to learn about chocolate and, of course, to taste some sweet treats!
Pennsylvania, the Keystone State, is full of history and culture. From helping start the United States to making yummy chocolate, Pennsylvania is an important part of the country’s story. Whether you’re interested in its historical places or its sweet surprises, Pennsylvania has something fun and exciting for everyone to enjoy!
Map Exploration: Use a map of the United States to locate Pennsylvania. Identify its neighboring states and discuss why it might be called the “Keystone State.” Think about how a keystone is important in building an arch and how Pennsylvania might be important to the country. Draw your own map and include symbols for Philadelphia and Hershey to show their significance.
Historical Role Play: Pretend you are living in Philadelphia during the time the Declaration of Independence was signed. Write a short letter to a friend explaining what it feels like to be in such an important place. What do you see, hear, and feel? Share your letter with the class and discuss how these historical events might have felt to people at the time.
Chocolate Experiment: Learn about the process of making chocolate by melting some chocolate chips at home with the help of an adult. Observe how the chocolate changes from solid to liquid and back to solid as it cools. Discuss why Hershey, Pennsylvania, is famous for chocolate and how chocolate is made. Share your chocolate creations with your family and talk about the experience.
