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.
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Showing newest posts with label history. Show older posts
Showing newest posts with label history. Show older posts
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The Great PA-Connecticut War
Officially, it is known as the The Pennamite-Yankee Wars. What happened was that way, way back King Charles II gave the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania to two separate groups. First he gave it to Connecticut in 1663. Later, in 1681, he gave it to William Penn. Connecticut actually had the better claim and sent settlers to the valley several times. They were the ones who founded the town of Wilkes-Barre.
Each time they came, the hometown crowd chased them off or fought with them. Sometimes Connecticut won; sometimes PA did. The fighting went on for thirty years between 1769 and 1799. Some of the fighting was pretty mild. In one "war," only three people were killed.
The King of England tried to settle the dispute by ruling that the land belonged to Connecticut, but then the American Revolution happened, and the Continental Congress sided with Pennsylvania's claim. So the war dragged on with no end in sight. At one point, Vermont sent men to help Connecticut.
It ended in 1799 when it was agreed that the Wyoming Valley belonged to Pennsylvania, but that the Connecticut settlers could retain their lands.
And now everybody is happy. Yay!!!
...........
Do you like words? Do you like humor? The Dogs of Words are waiting for you.
Each time they came, the hometown crowd chased them off or fought with them. Sometimes Connecticut won; sometimes PA did. The fighting went on for thirty years between 1769 and 1799. Some of the fighting was pretty mild. In one "war," only three people were killed.
The King of England tried to settle the dispute by ruling that the land belonged to Connecticut, but then the American Revolution happened, and the Continental Congress sided with Pennsylvania's claim. So the war dragged on with no end in sight. At one point, Vermont sent men to help Connecticut.
It ended in 1799 when it was agreed that the Wyoming Valley belonged to Pennsylvania, but that the Connecticut settlers could retain their lands.
And now everybody is happy. Yay!!!
...........
Do you like words? Do you like humor? The Dogs of Words are waiting for you.
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.
.
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