Pennsylvania
The Keystone State
Quick Stats
Map
Seal & Motto
"Virtue, Liberty, and Independence"
Adopted in 1875, this motto distills the ideals that Pennsylvania's founders — William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, and the Continental Congress — enshrined at the birth of the American republic. Virtue, Liberty, and Independence were not just aspirations; they were the principles debated in Independence Hall, written into the Declaration, and codified in the Constitution, all within Pennsylvania's borders.
Flag & Its Meaning
Pennsylvania's flag features a deep blue field bearing the state coat of arms — two draft horses flanking a central shield, an American eagle perched above, and a bald eagle below clutching corn and olive branches. It is one of the few state flags where the coat of arms appears in full elaborate detail, befitting a state with such a rich founding legacy.
- Deep Blue Field — The rich blue background represents loyalty, vigilance, and perseverance — values embodied by Pennsylvania throughout the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and its role as the birthplace of the American republic.
- Draft Horses — Two rearing horses flank the coat of arms, symbolizing Pennsylvania's agricultural heritage and the labor and strength of the settlers and workers who built the state's industries from the ground up.
- Shield: Ship, Plow & Wheat — Three panels on the central shield depict a ship under full sail (trade and commerce), a plow (agriculture), and three sheaves of wheat — representing the core industries that sustained Pennsylvania through its founding era.
- Motto Ribbon — "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence" is inscribed on a ribbon below the shield — a declaration of the founding values forged in Philadelphia, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were written.
State Symbols
Overview
Pennsylvania, the "Keystone State," holds the cornerstone of American identity. The nation was born in Philadelphia, the Union was saved at Gettysburg, and the Industrial Revolution was powered by Pittsburgh's steel furnaces. Today this 5th-largest state by population blends historic grandeur with a thriving tech and pharmaceutical economy, world-class universities, and the quiet traditions of Pennsylvania Dutch country — a place where every square mile carries the weight of history.
Geographically, it shares borders with NY, NJ, DE, MD, WV, and OH, forming a closely connected regional network.
Historical Significance
Pennsylvania joined the Union on December 12, 1787 — the 2nd state, and one of the original 13 colonies. The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in 1776; the U.S. Constitution was drafted there in 1787; and the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 became the Civil War's decisive turning point, followed by Lincoln's immortal Address. No state can claim a deeper stake in the founding of the American republic.
Famous Natives
Top Cities & Hubs
Philadelphia
Population: ~1.6MThe "Birthplace of America" and sixth-largest U.S. city, home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, a world-class art museum, the Ivy League's University of Pennsylvania, and the legendary Philly cheesesteak culture.
Pittsburgh
Population: ~300,000The "Steel City," dramatically reinvented from its industrial past into a national leader in technology, robotics research at Carnegie Mellon University, and one of the country's top-ranked healthcare systems at UPMC.
Allentown
Population: ~125,000Pennsylvania's third-largest city and the economic hub of the Lehigh Valley, a center for healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and logistics with deep Pennsylvania Dutch roots and a thriving arts revival.
Erie
Population: ~95,000Pennsylvania's only Great Lakes port, set on the southern shore of Lake Erie with Presque Isle State Park's 7 miles of sand beach — the most visited Pennsylvania state park, drawing 4 million visitors annually.
Reading
Population: ~95,000A city with rich railroad and industrial heritage in Berks County, today known as a factory-outlet shopping destination and home to a growing arts community and Pennsylvania Dutch cultural attractions.
How Pennsylvania Ranks
Key Landmarks & Economy
Did You Know?
- Pennsylvania is the Snack Food Capital of the World — producing over 80% of America's pretzels alongside the headquarters of Herr's, Snyder's of Hanover, Utz, and Hershey's, all within the state's borders.
- Punxsutawney Phil has been "predicting" the weather every February 2nd since 1887 — a Groundhog Day tradition that draws 40,000 visitors to a small Pennsylvania town and inspired the 1993 Bill Murray film of the same name.
- The world's first commercial oil well was drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1859 by Edwin Drake — a discovery that launched the global petroleum industry and sparked the first oil boom in American history.
Additional Information
15001 (Aliquippa) – 19640 (Reading)
Demographics
Population Growth
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Test Your Pennsylvania Knowledge
5 questions about the Keystone State
What is Pennsylvania's official state nickname?
What is the capital city of Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania was the ___ state to join the Union?
In which city was the U.S. Constitution signed?
Which famous pop artist was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?