Philadelphia Apartment Reviews

Read Philadelphia apartment reviews. Renters share their first hand experiences from living in apartments you want to know about. These apartment reviews help you choose wisely before you rent.

Philadelphia Information

Many U.S. and State "firsts" were associated with the city of Philadelphia: First public school in 1689 State's first newspaper in 1719 Colonies' first public library established in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin. First volunteer fire company in 1736 First novel published in America, 1744 America's first hospital in 1755 America's first stock exchange in 1746 First fire insurance company in 1752 First life insurance company in 1759 First Continental Congress in 1774 First American flag in 1777 First commercial bank, chartered in 1781 America's first paved turnpike First World's Fair in the United States in 1876 Pennsylvania's first commercial television station in 1941 American Revolution Philadelphia's industrial, commercial, and cultural growth was rapid during the 1700's. As one of the largest communities in the colonies, Philadelphia was the site of many historical events before, during, and after the American Revolution. The city played a significant role in the struggle for independence. After the French and Indian War in 1763, Britain's policy shifted toward stricter regulation of colonial trading. Because of disagreement with this policy and imposition of unpopular taxes by the British government, there was increasing support for independence among many Americans in the 1770's.

By 1774 Philadelphia had become the military, economic, and political center of the colonies. The First Continental Congress convened at Carpenters' Hall in 1774. Congress rejected the plan that denounced British policy and instead adopted a commercial boycott against British trade goods. The Second Continental Congress met at Philadelphia in 1775, and, before the session began, fighting started between the colonists and British troops in Massachusetts, marking the beginning of the American Revolution. In Philadelphia at Independence Hall, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and announced it to the world. Philadelphia served as the seat of national government from 1776 to 1800 (except for a brief period in 1789 and 1790) until Washington, D.C., became the capital in 1800.

From September 1777 to May 1778, the British occupied Philadelphia, the capital of the new Nation, while Congress met in the town of York. During that bitter winter, Valley Forge witnessed the heroic endurance of George Washington's army.