A giant geometric Benjamin Franklin head featured at the One Liberty Observation Deck, 1650 Market Street.
Today marks Benjamin Franklin’s 312th birthday.
This Founding Father is not only an American icon, but had an indelible impact on the city of Philadelphia–and the world.
Born on January 17, 1706, in Boston Massachusetts, Franklin moved to Philadelphia in 1724.
He is, arguably, one of the most accomplished individuals in American history. Franklin was a member of the Continental Congress, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and signer of the United States Constitution. He was also a successful publisher, printer, inventor, scientist, diplomat, civic leader, statesman, and philosopher.
In case you needed more evidence that Ben Franklin is an icon, he also has a crater on the moon named after him. Franklin, a lunar impact crater is located in the northeast part of the visible moon. Pretty cool, huh?
For 10 more interesting facts about this Founding Father, read on:
1.) Franklin was a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia. In 1729, he bought the Pennsylvania Gazette and began publishing the Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1733.
2.) Franklin helped launch the American Philosophical Society in 1743.
3.) During the 1750s, Franklin conducted experiments and verified the nature of electricity.
4.) He is credited with inventing the Franklin Stove, bifocal glasses, and the lightning rod.
5.) Franklin helped establish a library, hospital, fire company, and insurance company in Philadelphia.
6.) From 1785-1788, Franklin served as Governor of Pennsylvania.
7.) Franklin was elected to the Second Continental Congress and worked on a committee of five that helped draft the Declaration of Independence.
8.) He signed the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolution in 1783.
9.) He died in Philadelphia on April 17, 1790 and is buried at Christ Church Burial Ground.
10.) Franklin’s legacy lives on. Franklin’s likeness is featured on the $100 bill, and his name has been honored by being used in the names of several battleships (i.e.: the USS Benjamin Franklin), businesses, roads and highways, and at one point, a state, the now defunct state of Franklin, located in what is now northeastern Tennessee.
Thirty two counties and 50 municipalities across the country bear his name. Franklin’s name is also used in the names of six colleges and universities, 51 elementary and secondary schools, and three geologic features: Mount Franklin in New Hampshire and the Franklin Mountains in El Paso, Texas and in northern Alaska.
Right here in Philadelphia, Franklin’s name is honored with the Franklin Institute, Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
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