The flag of Pennsylvania was probably first hoisted on 24th of June in 1907. However, the following dates can still be found in various sources: 13th of June in 1907 and 16th of June in 1907, which could be the days on which the constitutional bodies passed a legal resolution. The flag is a blue bunting with the coat of arms of the state in the centre. The flag was allegedly introduced by the General Assembly as early as 1799 and only standardising specifications were made in 1907, e.g. in the dimensions and the definition of the shade of blue. This must correspond exactly to the blue in the flag of the USA, the "Old Glory Blue". The aspect ratio of 27:37 is so unusual that it is rarely used in practice. Most reproductions can be found in 2:3 and 3:5. The coat of arms dates from 1777, but was not officially introduced until 1875. It shows a shield divided horizontally into three parts. A ship at the top, a plough in the middle and three sheaves of grain at the bottom. They represent the three original parishes of the country, Philadelphia, Chester and Sussex. Two draught horses serve as supporters (shield holders) and at the top of the shield sits a soaring bald eagle, the heraldic animal of the USA. On the red banner below is the state motto: "Virtue, Liberty and Independence". The flag of the Germans in Pennsylvania (sometimes strangely called Pennsylvania Dutch) is white and shows a central shield in the shape of a keystone (symbol of Pennsylvania) with a ship with the year 1683 on the sail. A motto in Pennsylvania German is grouped around the shield: "Liewer Gott im Himmel drin loss uns Deitsche was mir sin"→ "Dear God in Heaven, Leave Us Germans What We Are". In the corners of the flag are a church (faith), a plough (work), a heart motif with tulips (tradition) and a covered wagon (history). Incidentally, the state's nickname is "Keystone State".
about 7000 B.C. · settlement by Indians (Susquehannock, Iroquois)
1496 · the English explorer John Cabot explores the coast
16th century · Spanish, Portuguese and French navigators reach the coast
1643 · Swedish colonists settle on the coast (New Sweden in today's Delaware)
1655 · the Dutch conquer the Swedish possessions and annex them to their colony New Netherlands
1664 · the British conquer New Netherland and annex it to their colony of New York
1671 · William Penn travels through Europe for years and promotes the formation of a Quaker colony in America
4th of March 1681 · King Charles II. of England hands over all the land between Maryland and the Delaware River to William Penn, foundation of the proprietary colony "Province of Pennsylvania", William Penn is the governor of the Quaker State ("Holy Experiment"), in the afteryears immigration of many evangelical Christians from Germany, mostly from the Palatinate (Pennsylvania-Germans), Chester is capital of the country
1682 · first constitution
1683 · foundation of Philadelphia, Philadelphia becomes capital
1693 · Pennsylvania becomes a crown colony and is (including New York) subordinated under Governor Colonel Fletcher
1699 · William Penn appoints himself as governor again
1701 · the British crown recognizes William Penn as Governor, Pennsylvania stands as a proprietary colony of Quakers in England, locally represented by deputies
1712 · William Penn sells his rights to the British crown
1775–1783 · War of Independence of the colonies against United Kingdom: many battles in the area of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is occupied by British troops from 1777 to 1778
4th of July 1776 · declaration of independence (of the USA), Pennsylvania is one of the 13 founding colonies
25th of July 1776 · founding of the State of Pennsylvania with a republican constitution, the former British owners will be compensated with 130.000 pounds sterling
28th of September 1776 · renamed "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"
The name "Pennsylvania" was given to the country by the English King Charles II. Originally, it was only supposed to be called Sylvania ("Woodland"). However, against the wishes of the owner William Penn, the king put his family name in front of it → Pennsylvania ("Penns Woodland").
