In 2008, Pennsylvania appeared as the sixth state on the Fortune 500 for corporations that list Pennsylvania as their home headquarters. Pennsylvania had 25 corporations on the list.
Texas led the nation as to the number of corporate headquarters on the Fortune 500 index of biggest corporations. As No. 1, Texas had 58 corporations on the Fortune 500. New York was second with 55 corporations. California was a close third with 52 corporations on the Fortune 500.
No state was in the forties, and only one, No. 4, Illinois, was in the thirties. Illinois had 33.
The rest of the Top Ten on the Fortune 500 were: No. 5, Ohio (28), No. 6 Pennsylvania (25), No. 7, New Jersey (23), No. 8, Michigan (22), and No. 9 (tied) Minnesota (19) and Virginia (19).
Pennsylvania is in the heartland of industry. Along with our 25, you can add Ohio's 28, New Jersey's 23, New York's 55, Virginia's 19 and Illinois' 33.
How to set up or run a site or blog, no matter what your level of experience.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Swedish Pennsylvania almost happened
Back in the old days, America was an uncharted wilderness that was "owned" by no one and everyone. Many of the European countries sent explorers, and most of the explorers claimed everything they ran across for their respective kings and queens. It was quite a mess.
Pennsylvania was no different. In the early 1600s, the big players within our borders were the English, the Dutch and (surprisingly for most people) the Swedes. Of those three, it was the Swedes who established the permanent settlement of Tinicum Island (1643) and then Uppland. Johan Printz was the first governor of what was known as New Sweden.
So the Swedes had the upper hand in Pennsylvania at first, but it was not to last. Swedish rule lasted from about 1643 to 1655, a mere 12 years.
The Dutch wanted the Pennsylvania territories and they already had a strongd base in New Amsterdam. It was a small matter for them to flex their military muscles and force the Swedes out.
So the Dutch became masters of the area, but they also ruled for just a short time (1655-1664)
Eventually, the military might of the English would vanquish the Dutch, and that meant that the Pennsylvania lands were under British rule from 1664 forward.
The British rule was not to last either.
Less than twenty years later, 1681, William Penn was granted full rights to Pennsylvania. At that point, the lands have always been ruled by some sort of American government. There were wars, and there were squabbles between the states, but there was always a home government.
We could have been Swedish.
We could have been Dutch.
We could have been English.
But in the end, we became Pennsylvanians.
Pennsylvania was no different. In the early 1600s, the big players within our borders were the English, the Dutch and (surprisingly for most people) the Swedes. Of those three, it was the Swedes who established the permanent settlement of Tinicum Island (1643) and then Uppland. Johan Printz was the first governor of what was known as New Sweden.
So the Swedes had the upper hand in Pennsylvania at first, but it was not to last. Swedish rule lasted from about 1643 to 1655, a mere 12 years.
The Dutch wanted the Pennsylvania territories and they already had a strongd base in New Amsterdam. It was a small matter for them to flex their military muscles and force the Swedes out.
So the Dutch became masters of the area, but they also ruled for just a short time (1655-1664)
Eventually, the military might of the English would vanquish the Dutch, and that meant that the Pennsylvania lands were under British rule from 1664 forward.
The British rule was not to last either.
Less than twenty years later, 1681, William Penn was granted full rights to Pennsylvania. At that point, the lands have always been ruled by some sort of American government. There were wars, and there were squabbles between the states, but there was always a home government.
We could have been Swedish.
We could have been Dutch.
We could have been English.
But in the end, we became Pennsylvanians.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Beer, Beer, Beer
Pennsylvania has a remarkable number of "firsts" in its history. We had the first root beer, the first potato chips, the first Zippo lighters, etc.
But what about beer? Do we have any firsts in that category?
Yes, we do, and here are a few of them.
Root beer invented in 1876.
First pull-tab on cans - 1962, Iron City Brewery.
Oldest American Commercial Brewery -- 1829, Yuengling in Pottsville
First Lite Beer with Taste (sort of) -- The Ortlieb Brewing Company got it right when it produced a TV commercial that told viewers: "You want light beer? Just add ice cubes to my beer, it's cheaper."
Good old Ortlieb. No muss, no fuss. Just tell it like it is.
But what about beer? Do we have any firsts in that category?
Yes, we do, and here are a few of them.
Root beer invented in 1876.
First pull-tab on cans - 1962, Iron City Brewery.
Oldest American Commercial Brewery -- 1829, Yuengling in Pottsville
First Lite Beer with Taste (sort of) -- The Ortlieb Brewing Company got it right when it produced a TV commercial that told viewers: "You want light beer? Just add ice cubes to my beer, it's cheaper."
Good old Ortlieb. No muss, no fuss. Just tell it like it is.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Pennsylvania Names
Every state has its unusual names. There is Truth or Consequences, Nevada; Nothing, Arizona; Stinking Bay, Arkansas, and hundreds of others.
Pennsylvania has its own set of odd city names. For one reason or another, people thought that the name was appropriate. Consider Unalaska, Alaska. It sounds like a silly name, but there is a good bit of history to it. That name came into existence because the people of that town did not want to be part of Alaska. You can bet that the names on our list will sound funny, if you haven't heard of them before. But before you judge them, you might want to look up the history. It could change your opinion.
So here we go.
Real Place Names in Pennsylvania
Apollo
Bagdad
Belfast
Berlin
Bethlehem
Bird-in-Hand
Birdsboro
Blue Bell
Burnt Cabins
California
Eighty Four
Forty Fort
Houston
Indiana
Intercourse
Jersey Shore
Jim Thorpe
King of Prussia
Nazareth
Pennsylvania has its own set of odd city names. For one reason or another, people thought that the name was appropriate. Consider Unalaska, Alaska. It sounds like a silly name, but there is a good bit of history to it. That name came into existence because the people of that town did not want to be part of Alaska. You can bet that the names on our list will sound funny, if you haven't heard of them before. But before you judge them, you might want to look up the history. It could change your opinion.
So here we go.
Real Place Names in Pennsylvania
Apollo
Bagdad
Belfast
Berlin
Bethlehem
Bird-in-Hand
Birdsboro
Blue Bell
Burnt Cabins
California
Dallas
Denver
Dublin
Egypt
Denver
Dublin
Egypt
Eighty Four
Forty Fort
Houston
Indiana
Intercourse
Jersey Shore
Jim Thorpe
King of Prussia
Mars
Media
Moscow
Moscow
Nazareth
Ohiopyle
Oil City
Plymouth Meeting
Shickshinny
Slippery Rock
Sandy Lake
Washington
Oil City
Plymouth Meeting
Shickshinny
Slippery Rock
Sandy Lake
Washington
Friday, August 22, 2008
Pennsylvania
You may have thought it was the Pennsylvania Polka or even Pennsylvania 6-5000, but it isn't. The State Song of Pennsylvania is the aptly named "Pennsylvania." It became the state song in 1990. Words and Music are by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Mighty is your name,
Steeped in glory and tradition,
Object of acclaim.
Where brave men fought the foe of freedom,
Tyranny decried,
'Til the bell of independence
filled the countryside.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be,
filled with honor everlasting
as your history.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Blessed by God's own hand,
Birthplace of a mighty nation,
Keystone of the land.
Where first our country's flag unfolded,
Freedom to proclaim,
May the voices of tomorrow
glorify your name.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be,
filled with honor everlasting
as your history.
That is a great song. Great sentiment. Great meaning.
I leave it at that.
........
LivingQuotes will help you live.
.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Mighty is your name,
Steeped in glory and tradition,
Object of acclaim.
Where brave men fought the foe of freedom,
Tyranny decried,
'Til the bell of independence
filled the countryside.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be,
filled with honor everlasting
as your history.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Blessed by God's own hand,
Birthplace of a mighty nation,
Keystone of the land.
Where first our country's flag unfolded,
Freedom to proclaim,
May the voices of tomorrow
glorify your name.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be,
filled with honor everlasting
as your history.
That is a great song. Great sentiment. Great meaning.
I leave it at that.
........
LivingQuotes will help you live.
.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Harris County, Texas has a connection to Harrisburg, PA
John Harris, Sr., was a trader. He settled in the Harrisburg, PA, area around 1719. His business went well. In fact, it went so well that he bought up 800 acres of land and started a ferry service.
In 1785, his son, John Harris, Jr., developed plans for a town on his father's land. It was to be called Harrisburg in honor of his father.
TOTALLY WEIRD FACT: In 1786, Harrisburg was renamed Louisburg in honor Louis XVI for his help during the American Revolution. Harris threw a hissy fit. He was a major landowner, and he wasn't going to put up with the name change. He got his way by out-maneuvering his opponents in a business deal. What he did was he refused to sell land for the county seat until the name Harrisburg was reinstated. It was. Harrisburg began a rapid growth and by 1812 it was the state capital.
Moving forward in time a little, in 1826 the grandson of John Harris, Sr, proclaimed that the new town he had started in Texas was to be named Harrisburg. Some say he named it after himself. Others say he was honoring his granpappy. Still others say that he simply named it after the town that his daddy started up north. I like to think he was a good boy who put his family ahead of himself, so I say he named it after Harris, Sr.
Harrisburg, Texas, became a colorful city. It took a short turn as capital of Texas in 1835. The next year, 1836, two bigs things happened: 1) The surrounding county changed its name to Harrisburg and 2) Santa Anna burned the city into the ground.
After the fighting ended, the city of Houston sprouted up right next to Harrisburg. It grew rapidly. It had the advantage of not being totally destroyed by Santa Anna. Harrisburg never really recovered. In 1837, Houston, not Harrisburg, became county seat of Harrisburg County.
Two years later, 1839, they shortened the name to Harris County. It is now the largest county in Texas with about 3.5 million people. That also makes it the third biggest in America.
The city of Houston annexed the city of Harrisburg in 1926.
So there you go. Harris County, Texas, has a strong (family) history with Harrisburg, PA.
Cheesteaks and brisket for everybody!!!
................
If you want to know more about Texas, this is our sister blog: I Luv TX at IluvTX.com. Both blogs are carrying this particular post since it is about both states.
.
In 1785, his son, John Harris, Jr., developed plans for a town on his father's land. It was to be called Harrisburg in honor of his father.
TOTALLY WEIRD FACT: In 1786, Harrisburg was renamed Louisburg in honor Louis XVI for his help during the American Revolution. Harris threw a hissy fit. He was a major landowner, and he wasn't going to put up with the name change. He got his way by out-maneuvering his opponents in a business deal. What he did was he refused to sell land for the county seat until the name Harrisburg was reinstated. It was. Harrisburg began a rapid growth and by 1812 it was the state capital.
Moving forward in time a little, in 1826 the grandson of John Harris, Sr, proclaimed that the new town he had started in Texas was to be named Harrisburg. Some say he named it after himself. Others say he was honoring his granpappy. Still others say that he simply named it after the town that his daddy started up north. I like to think he was a good boy who put his family ahead of himself, so I say he named it after Harris, Sr.
Harrisburg, Texas, became a colorful city. It took a short turn as capital of Texas in 1835. The next year, 1836, two bigs things happened: 1) The surrounding county changed its name to Harrisburg and 2) Santa Anna burned the city into the ground.
After the fighting ended, the city of Houston sprouted up right next to Harrisburg. It grew rapidly. It had the advantage of not being totally destroyed by Santa Anna. Harrisburg never really recovered. In 1837, Houston, not Harrisburg, became county seat of Harrisburg County.
Two years later, 1839, they shortened the name to Harris County. It is now the largest county in Texas with about 3.5 million people. That also makes it the third biggest in America.
The city of Houston annexed the city of Harrisburg in 1926.
So there you go. Harris County, Texas, has a strong (family) history with Harrisburg, PA.
Cheesteaks and brisket for everybody!!!
................
If you want to know more about Texas, this is our sister blog: I Luv TX at IluvTX.com. Both blogs are carrying this particular post since it is about both states.
.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Hillbillies, potato chips and mushrooms
Pennsylvania has more people that are classified as rural than any other state.
We produce more potato chips than anybody else.
We grow more mushrooms.
We have more covered bridges.
We make more sausage.
We have more bakeries. (Probably because of pretzel production)
And believe it or not, we produce more scrapple than any of those other wannabe states.
So there, nyahh (I'm now sticking out my tongue. It's a visual thing.)
We produce more potato chips than anybody else.
We grow more mushrooms.
We have more covered bridges.
We make more sausage.
We have more bakeries. (Probably because of pretzel production)
And believe it or not, we produce more scrapple than any of those other wannabe states.
So there, nyahh (I'm now sticking out my tongue. It's a visual thing.)
Monday, August 18, 2008
PA had the first oilwell in the US
The first oil well in the US was drilled by Colonel Edwin Drake. The city was Titusville, PA. The year was 1859.
Colonel Drake was not the first to drill for oil in North America. That happened in 1858 in Ontario, Canada. And he was not the first to strike oil in the US or PA or even in Titusville. Others had struck oil while looking for other things, such as water. Finding oil instead usually meant that the well was abandoned.
Colonel Drake drilled where he did because Titusville was known for oil seeps and for other wells that had accidentally struck oil. Smart man. He struck oil at a mere 69 feet down.
Pennsylvania was producing oil way before Texas, Oklahoma, and California.
I Luv PA is found at IluvPA.com
Colonel Drake was not the first to drill for oil in North America. That happened in 1858 in Ontario, Canada. And he was not the first to strike oil in the US or PA or even in Titusville. Others had struck oil while looking for other things, such as water. Finding oil instead usually meant that the well was abandoned.
Colonel Drake drilled where he did because Titusville was known for oil seeps and for other wells that had accidentally struck oil. Smart man. He struck oil at a mere 69 feet down.
Pennsylvania was producing oil way before Texas, Oklahoma, and California.
I Luv PA is found at IluvPA.com
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