History 101

We took a trip down to Philadelphia today to check out the sites and sample the tastes. Anybody who knows us, knows we started with the tastes, of course. We took a culinary tour of the Reading Terminal Market (thanks to KSP and C-dubs for the tip on this place). We shared an authentic Philly Cheesesteak and sampled some homemade cookies fresh from the Pennsylvania Dutch's oven. They were both a huge success.

Next it was off to the sites. Great thing about Philly is that about 90% of the historic sites are within about a mile radius, perfect for a couple day trippers like ourselves. Anyway, a budding history buff like me can't let a moment like this pass by without a little history lesson. So here's what we saw:

The Liberty Bell: I think we're all pretty familiar with this little beauty. Two interesting occasions when it was rung: 1) to recognize the coronation of King George III and 2) to call the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the reading of the Declaration of Independence, which brings us to...

Independence Hall: Birthplace of our nation. So known because it was where the Continental Congress debated, agreed to, and signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. We saw the steps of this hall on which they read the Declaration of Independence for the first time to the citizens of Philadelphia. Once inside, we saw the Assembly Hall where they debated and signed the Declaration and the Constitution, including the actual chair that Washington sat in as he presided over the debating of the Constitution. Got chills standing in that room--nerdy, I know.

Congress Hall: This is where the brand new legislative branch of the brand new government first met. The House of Representatives met on the main floor, which is also where George Washington stepped aside after his second term as President and John Adams was sworn in. 

The Senate met upstairs. That means that important looking chair is where John Adams sat as he presided over the very first Senate as Vice President to George Washington.

We also saw Carpenter's Hall, where the first Continental Congress met, before they graduated to Independence Hall, Betsy Ross' House, where she made the first American flag (most likely in her bedroom so that she wouldn't be caught by the British) and the final resting place of Ben Franklin.

So yeah, we saw a lot today. Oh, and after all the sites we were hungry again, so we hit up Reading Market for a second go-around, this time sampling the BBQ (and more of the cookies of course).

I think we're putting this in our top five day trips since we moved to New York City. We had a lot of fun.