Philadelphia is an important commercial, manufacturing, and shipping centre, and a port of entry. It is the second major centre of business and population along the Atlantic seaboard.
Philadelphia was the first capital of the United States of America (1790−1800). In Philadelphia the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed in 1776. In this city the United States Constitution was adopted in 1787. It was the first written constitution in the world. The Constitution proclaimed by the Convention was the document where all the values of the world civilization of that time were summarized.
Independence National Historical Park – ‘America's most historic square mile’ is home to the country's most treasured monuments, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. More than a dozen other buildings reflect the early history of the United States.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway is the cultural centre of Philadelphia. The Parkway is lined by many of the city's cultural institutions, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, Franklin Institute, Free Library, Academy of Sciences, Moore College of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
The commercial section of Philadelphia is Centre City with the splendor of City Hall as its focal point. It also includes a number of major hotels, theatres, shopping areas, museums and sculpture.
The Betsy Ross House, in which tradition has said the first American flag was made, is at 239, Arch Street. The site of the house in which Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence is on the southwest corner of the Seventh and Market streets. And a marble memorial has been put up to commemorate the spot where Jefferson's office stood.
Other places of historic interest are: the Powel House, built in 1765, and restored by the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, the Bank of the United States (1797), Stanton Mansion (1728), built by James Legan.
Philadelphia is rich in library facilities. The Free Library of Philadelphia was established in 1891. The General Library of University of Philadelphia with great number of volumes is open to public as a reference library.
Philadelphia is also rich in a variety of museums (which also have their special libraries). The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the great art museums of the world. The building is an impressive one of adapted Greek design, built on a low hill at the head of the Parkway overlooking the Schuylkill River.
The Liberty Bell, traditionally associated with the events of the American Revolution (War of Independence), has become a symbol of freedom. It is situated in a glass-enclosed building across from Independence Hall. In July, 1776, its chime informed the inhabitants of Philadelphia about the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
7. Read text 5C and translate it. Make up Vocabulary for the text (about 15–20 words) and learn them.
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