Living in Pennsylvania means life is pretty interesting. Our beloved state, after all, has a rich history, a vibrant present, and a promising future. How much do you know about Pennsylvania? Probably a ton if you’ve lived here any amount of time. How many of these quirky facts about Pennsylvania did you already know?
- The Eagles and the Steelers once played together as the Steagles.
Wikipedia/Temple University Libraries Who woulda thunk it, right? It’s true, though. During the 1943 season, many of the Eagles and Steelers players served in World War II. The remaining players combined for a single season to play together as the Steagles.
- The official drink of Pennsylvania is milk.
Flickr/Marco Verch Professional Photographer Bottoms up! We might have an official drink – which goes well with such Pennsylvania classics as whoopie pies and Hershey’s chocolates – but there’s no official food in Pennsylvania.
- We get our weather from a groundhog.
Flickr/Anthony Quintano All eyes turn to Punxsutawney Phil every Groundhog Day to find out whether we’ll have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. Did you know our adorable Phil started quite the trend? Several other places now have weather-predicting groundhogs, including Charles G. Hogg in New York.
- Welcome to the Chocolate Capital of the U.S. and…
Flickr/Scott Smith It should come as little surprise that Hershey is the Chocolate Capital of the United States. The charming town is the perfect place to get our chocolate fix and have a ton of fun. From Hersheypark to ZooAmerica, Hershey’s the perfect family-friendly destination.
- The Snack Capital of the World
Flickr/Mirandala Pennsylvania is home to Snyder’s of Hanover, Utz, and Peeps, to name just a few, so it’s not surprising we also live in the Snack Capital of the World.
- Bassetts Ice Cream is America’s oldest ice cream company.
Flickr/bigbirdz Those of us with a sweet tooth will likely agree that Pennsylvania’s a sweets paradise. Bassetts Ice Cream, America’s oldest ice cream company, has been satisfying sweets cravings since 1861. The Bassett family started the famous ice cream company that year in New Jersey but frequently sold the sweet treat in Philadelphia, where it opened a shop in 1885.
- Only one United States President was born in Pennsylvania.
Flickr/Jim Surkamp That was James Buchanan. He was born in 1791 near Mercersburg.
- The Philadelphia Zoo is America’s first.
Flickr/Marnie Vaughn Benjamin Franklin founded America’s first zoo, and it officially opened on July 1, 1874. Today, visitors can view some of the more than 1,700 animals who live at the 42-acre zoo.
- Latrobe is the birthplace of the banana split.
Flickr/Nan Palermo We went a couple of facts without mentioning food, so that’s not so bad, right? After all, how could we ignore the fact that the most delicious of ice cream treats – the banana split – was born in the very same town as Mister Rogers?
- Two baseball greats were born in Donora – do you know who they are?
Flickr/Timothy Appnel Stan Musial and Ken Griffey Jr.! Pretty awesome, huh?
Did you know these quirky facts about Pennsylvania? Know any more? Let us know in the comments! Then check out 12 habits you might have if you call Pennsylvania home (they’re oddly endearing!).
Wikipedia/Temple University Libraries
Who woulda thunk it, right? It’s true, though. During the 1943 season, many of the Eagles and Steelers players served in World War II. The remaining players combined for a single season to play together as the Steagles.
Flickr/Marco Verch Professional Photographer
Bottoms up! We might have an official drink – which goes well with such Pennsylvania classics as whoopie pies and Hershey’s chocolates – but there’s no official food in Pennsylvania.
Flickr/Anthony Quintano
All eyes turn to Punxsutawney Phil every Groundhog Day to find out whether we’ll have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. Did you know our adorable Phil started quite the trend? Several other places now have weather-predicting groundhogs, including Charles G. Hogg in New York.
Flickr/Scott Smith
It should come as little surprise that Hershey is the Chocolate Capital of the United States. The charming town is the perfect place to get our chocolate fix and have a ton of fun. From Hersheypark to ZooAmerica, Hershey’s the perfect family-friendly destination.
Flickr/Mirandala
Pennsylvania is home to Snyder’s of Hanover, Utz, and Peeps, to name just a few, so it’s not surprising we also live in the Snack Capital of the World.
Flickr/bigbirdz
Those of us with a sweet tooth will likely agree that Pennsylvania’s a sweets paradise. Bassetts Ice Cream, America’s oldest ice cream company, has been satisfying sweets cravings since 1861. The Bassett family started the famous ice cream company that year in New Jersey but frequently sold the sweet treat in Philadelphia, where it opened a shop in 1885.
Flickr/Jim Surkamp
That was James Buchanan. He was born in 1791 near Mercersburg.
Flickr/Marnie Vaughn
Benjamin Franklin founded America’s first zoo, and it officially opened on July 1, 1874. Today, visitors can view some of the more than 1,700 animals who live at the 42-acre zoo.
Flickr/Nan Palermo
We went a couple of facts without mentioning food, so that’s not so bad, right? After all, how could we ignore the fact that the most delicious of ice cream treats – the banana split – was born in the very same town as Mister Rogers?
Flickr/Timothy Appnel
Stan Musial and Ken Griffey Jr.! Pretty awesome, huh?
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