Philadelphia 250

The birthplace of democracy got spruced up for America’s 250th celebrations.

The first public Girl Scout cookie sale was held in Philly in 1933. The organization is celebrating by looking back at the growth they’ve made since then.

The National Basketball League was formed in Philly in 1898, the Historic District and the Sixers have teamed up to commemorate it.

A rowhouse built around 1760 in Old City was once heated with firewood. Now, it has solar panels on its roof.

Artists Anika Grant and Nandi Jordan are producing “Ceremony for Revolutionary Seeds” this fall at historic sites in Camden, Fort Lee and Trenton.

The fiberglass Liberty Bell replicas are designed to show the city’s diversity as part of the Bells Across PA project.

“Rooted: The Origins of American Gardening” opens Feb. 28.

The effort is designed to give a good first impression for thousands of visitors expected to visit Philadelphia for the nation’s 250th birthday.

The Philadelphia Historic District’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday next highlights the nation’s first folk parade.

While George Washington’s army waged war against Britain, Yellow Springs Hospital fought a deadlier enemy: contagious disease.

During the 1800s, Pennsylvania was at the epicenter of the rye whiskey industry. Prohibition caused most of the distilleries to close, and the state’s legacy was forgotten.

The Saturday event starts a yearlong series of “first” celebrations.

The home, built in 1742, was the residence of Thomas Cowperthwaite, a prominent Quaker, and his family — some of whom ended up on opposite sides of the Revolutionary War.

The New Year’s Eve event is just one of several Liberty Bell-themed celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday over the next few months.

For America's 250th birthday, living history programs at Washington Crossing Historic Park will shed light on the role of revolutionary women and noncombatants.