The foundation of our Empire was not laid in the gloomy age of Ignorance and Suspicion, but at an Epoch when the rights of mankind were better understood and more clearly defined, than at any former period. - George Washington
Wow, we have had a full day! We started in Philadelphia, seeing the sights of the founding of our nation and then traveled to New York to see a Broadway musical.
Our first stop was the visitors center across the street form Independence Hall to pick up tickets for a movie about our nations independence that would be showing at 10:00am. We then walked the most historical mile in the United States.
Here is where it all started, Independence Hall. The bell tower is being restored so they had construction equipment around it.
Did you know that wealthy men donated stones and bricks to the construction of roads and buildings? They would have their name etched into one of the stones so people hundreds of years from now could read their name. Well, when we were walking to Independence Hall, this is one of the stones we saw. Mr. Stack and Austin should do some genealogy and find out if they are related to this person.
We strolled pass the Betsy Ross House. This is the front entrance to her house. Notice the number of stars on the flag.
We walked to Elfreth's Alley, which is the oldest continuous living street in America. See how narrow the roads were back then.
Esther and her mom pose for a picture under the British flag.
Adele and Kayla turned around in the middle of the street. We tried to be quiet, because these are residences.
This is Christ Church. Benjamin Franklin attended this church when he was in Philadelphia and he and his wife, Deborah, are buried here.
I don't know which bench Benjamin Franklin sat in, but all of them were equally beautiful.
This is the oldest Post Office in America and it still is a working post office today.
The lines were too long to see the Liberty Bell (about 50 minutes) so we decided to take a picture through the glass window. Cast in the upper part of the bell is this quote from Leviticus, "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” (Leviticus 25:10) It was this proclamation of liberty that fanned the flames of Independence. The bell rang for the last time in February, 1846 in the celebration of George Washington's birthday.
Did you know that Independence Hall was the name we gave this building many years ago? The true name of the building in The Pennsylvania State House.
This is the court room inside Independence Hall.
This is the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed, as well as the Constitution. This is where history was made and a nation was born. Back in the 1700’s, they called a meeting a "Congress" – it is not how we think of it today as a body of elected officials making laws. This is the original room with original furniture.
Behind the desk in the front of the room is the actual chair were George Washington sat. A sun is carved in the top portion of the chair. Benjamin Franklin always wondered if the carved sun was a setting sun or a raising sun. After the Declaration of Independence was signed as well as the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin said that he now knows that it is a raising sun!
After Independence Hall, we walked to the Constitution Visitors Center to see a dramatization dedicated to “We the People.” After which we toured the museum and they had a special exhibit of bronzes depicting our founding fathers. Ben Franklin was in the room with us.
Signing the Constitution with George Washington accepting your signature.
We must always be vigilant in safeguarding the liberty and freedoms that our founding fathers worked so hard and fought so long for us to obtain. James Madison warned that the loss of freedom through gradual erosion should be guarded against. Madison said, “ I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those powers, than by violent and sudden usurpation . . . This danger ought to be wisely guarded against.”
We left Philadelphia and travel by bus to New York City, to see the Broadway Musical - Wicked.
Inside the Gershawin Theatre waiting for the play to begin.
After Wicked, we wanted to go to the top of the Empire State Building, so we walked down Broadway, past Time Square and couldn't resist taking some night photos. Taylor was a real trooper in her wheelchair.
It was getting pretty chilly and Jordan was glad she had a sweatshirt.
Inside the lobby of the Empire State Building. Since we were there at 11:30pm, we didn't have many long lines to deal with. There observation deck is open till 2:00am.
It was much colder and the wind was blowing harder at the top of the building than at street level. This is a BIG city!
Can you see the Statue of Liberty in the distance?
Trying to stay warm on the observation deck.
They did 5 laps around the observation deck to keep warm and they were full of energy. We are in the town that never sleeps. (1:00am)
We got hungry on the walk back to the hotel (about 10 blocks), so we stopped for a pretzel at one of the many street vendors.
Well, it is time to sign off. We will pay the price tomorrow for such a late night tonight. I didn't proof read this so I hope there's not too many mistakes. All the best.
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