The history of Pennsylvania stems back thousands of years when the first indigenous peoples occupied the area of what is now Pennsylvania. In 1681, Pennsylvania became an English colony when William Penn received a royal deed from King Charles II of England.

Nov 9, 2009 · Pennsylvania’s capital, Philadelphia, was the site of the first and second Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1775, the latter of which produced the Declaration of Independence, sparking the...

2 days ago · The southern boundary of Pennsylvania, ratified in 1769, was the Mason and Dixon Line, which became the dividing line between the slave and the free states before the American Civil War. Once the war broke out, Pennsylvania once again became a centre of military and political activity.

The State Library holds an extensive collection of materials for researching Pennsylvania history – whether it is for a local area, county or a notable Pennsylvanian. The first stop would be a quick search of the State Library's online catalog. Pennsylvania Newspapers also represent a wonderful resource for local history and our collections reach back into the 18th century.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Jan 31, 2025 · Pennsylvania, constituent state of the U.S., one of the original 13 American colonies. It is bounded to the north by Lake Erie and New York; to the east by New York and New Jersey; to the south by Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia, and …

In March of 1681, King Charles II of England (1630-85) granted William Penn (1644-1718), gentleman and Quaker, the charter for a proprietary colony on the North American continent.

Pennsylvania's history of human habitation extends thousands of years before the foundation of the colonial Province of Pennsylvania in 1681. Archaeologists believe the first settlement of the Americas occurred at least 15,000 years ago, during the Last Glacial Period, though it is unclear when humans first inhabited present-day Pennsylvania.

In England, Penn drew up the First Frame of Government, his proposed constitution for Pennsylvania. Penn's preface to First Frame of Government has become famous as a summation of his governmental ideals. Later, in October 1682, the Proprietor arrived in …

The founding of Pennsylvania, about 40,000 square miles, was confirmed to William Penn under the Great Seal on January 5, 1681. Penn induced people to emigrate, the terms being 40 shillings per hundred acres, and "shares" of 5,000 acres for 100 pounds.

Pennsylvania 1630-1700: Enjoy a brief history of the area today known as Pennsylvania, from the Dutch and Swedish pioneers to Penn's Charter. "Pennsylvania Revolution" by Roland M. Baumann, Oberlin College.