In the 1770’s, Philadelphia was the home of famous historical figures that helped shape the current nation of the United States of America. Although Philadelphia was considered a city, the territory was actually fairly small back then when compared to now. However, back then, it was a large city in comparison to the other colonies. It grew largely in size, and by 1790, it was the largest city with a population of 42,520 people. Most of the people either lived in farms or small villages and they had absolutely no electricity, indoor plumbing, and automobiles, like the things we have today. People would use candles and wood fires for light, as well as for warmth. Transportation was limited as well. Instead of cars, or buses, like we use today, people would travel by horseback or simply walk.
Philadelphia was an agricultural area, and with its location near the Delaware and Schuylkill river, shipyards were built, and appeared often. Exchanges were often too, mostly for farm products in exchange for English manufactured goods. In addition to Philadelphia's agriculture area, they also had many natural resources such as coal and iron. Those resources helped Philadelphia become an early industrial leader, and get
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Philadelphia became the meeting place of famous historical figures, such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Philadelphia hosted the Continental Congress, meetings where representatives of the original thirteen colonies would talk and debate about how to succeed in independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence was written and signed here, in the convention halls. The convention halls were small, cramped rooms in which delegates and congressman would meet and discuss different political issues. Until 1790, Philadelphia served as the early United States capitol. It was then changed to Washington