History of Philadelphia in Timeline
Philadelphia, or Philly, is Pennsylvania's most populous city and the sixth-largest in the U.S., with an estimated 1,574,281 residents as of July 2025. Its metropolitan area boasts 6.33 million people, making it the ninth-largest in the nation. The city is known for its rich culture, diverse cuisine, and historical significance, while also maintaining a strong presence in modern business, technology, sports, and music.
1902: Renaming to Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO)
In 1902, the Brush Electric Light Company of Philadelphia was renamed Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO), marking a key moment in the evolution of the city's electricity provider.
1905: Market-Frankford Line Subway Opens (West)
In 1905, the subway section of the Market–Frankford Line opened to the west of City Hall, marking an early expansion of Philadelphia's rapid transit system.
1908: Market-Frankford Line Subway Opens (East)
In 1908, the subway section of the Market–Frankford Line opened to the east of City Hall, completing the initial construction of this major east-west transit route.
1909: Decommissioning of Fairmount Water Works
In 1909, the Fairmount Water Works was decommissioned as Philadelphia transitioned to modern sand filtration methods, marking a shift in the city's water supply infrastructure.
1911: Electric Trolley System
In 1911, Philadelphia had nearly 4,000 electric trolleys running on 86 lines, showcasing an extensive public transportation system at the time.
August 1912: First Experimental Radio License Issued
In August 1912, the first experimental radio license was issued in Philadelphia to St. Joseph's College, marking an early step in the development of radio broadcasting in the city.
1922: First Commercial AM Radio Stations Broadcasting
In 1922, the first commercial AM radio stations began broadcasting in Philadelphia, including WIP (owned by Gimbels), WFIL (owned by Strawbridge & Clothier), and WOO (owned by Wanamaker's), marking the start of commercial radio in the city.
1925: Philadelphia Daily News First Published
In 1925, the Philadelphia Daily News was first published, becoming one of Philadelphia's major daily newspapers.
1928: Broad Street Line Opens (Stage 1)
In 1928, the Broad Street Line, running north–south beneath Broad Street, opened in stages, marking the beginning of another key subway line in Philadelphia.
1938: Broad Street Line Opens (Final Stage)
In 1938, the Broad Street Line completed its opening in stages, establishing a major north-south transit route in Philadelphia.
1939: W3XE Becomes NBC Affiliate
In 1939, W3XE, an experimental station owned by Philco, became the nation's first NBC affiliate and later became KYW-TV, marking a significant step in the development of television broadcasting in Philadelphia.
1947: Assignment of Area Code 215
In 1947, Southeastern Pennsylvania was assigned the 215 area code when the North American Numbering Plan went into effect.
1950: Record high population recorded in 1950
In 1950, Philadelphia recorded a record high population of 2,071,605 residents, after which the city's population began a long decline.
1952: Bandstand Premieres
In 1952, WFIL, later renamed WPVI, premiered the television show Bandstand, which later became the nationally broadcast American Bandstand hosted by Dick Clark, launching a cultural phenomenon from Philadelphia.
1952: Premiere of Bandstand in 1952
In 1952, the teen dance party program called "Bandstand" premiered on local television, hosted by Bob Horn.
1957: American Bandstand national syndication in 1957
In 1957, "Bandstand" was renamed "American Bandstand" and began national syndication on ABC, hosted by Dick Clark and produced in Philadelphia.
1959: Creation of Percent for Art ordinance in 1959
In 1959, the Artists Equity Association lobbied to create the Percent for Art ordinance, the first for a U.S. city.
1964: American Bandstand moved to Los Angeles in 1964
In 1964, "American Bandstand" moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles.
1966: Founding of Geno's Steaks in 1966
In 1966, Geno's Steaks was founded, becoming a rival to Pat's King of Steaks in Philadelphia's Italian Market.
1975: Reconstruction of City Tavern in 1975
In 1975, the City Tavern was rebuilt on the same site as the original, which had been demolished in 1854 after a fire. It was rebuilt as part of Independence National Historical Park.
June 1976: Dedication of Sister Cities Park
In June 1976, the Sister Cities Park was dedicated at 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway to commemorate Philadelphia's first two sister city relationships with Tel Aviv and Florence.
1976: Release of the film Rocky
In 1976, the long flight of steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art's main entrance became famous after the film "Rocky" was released.
1984: Erection of Chinatown Gate
In 1984, the Chinatown Gate, crafted by artisans from Tianjin, was erected on 10th Street as a symbol of Philadelphia's sister city relationship with Tianjin.
1984: Creation of the Mural Arts Program in 1984
In 1984, the Department of Recreation's Mural Arts Program was created to beautify neighborhoods and provide an outlet for graffiti artists.
1987: City Ownership of Philadelphia Gas Works
In 1987, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) came under city ownership, solidifying its role as a municipally owned utility providing gas to the city.
1990: Doubling of foreign-born population between 1990 and 2017
Between 1990 and 2017, Philadelphia's foreign-born population doubled to constitute 13.8% of the city's total population.
1994: Creation of Area Code 610
In 1994, the geographic area covered by area code 215 was split nearly in half when area code 610 was created, with the city and its northern suburbs retaining 215.
1997: Addition of Overlay Area Code 267
In 1997, overlay area code 267 was added to the 215 service area, increasing the number of available phone numbers.
1999: Addition of Area Code 484
In 1999, area code 484 was added to the 610 area as an overlay, further expanding the availability of phone numbers.
2000: Increase in foreign-born population between 2000 and 2016
Between 2000 and 2016, Philadelphia's foreign-born population increased by 69%, constituting nearly 20% of the city's workforce.
2000: Fewer days of high particle pollution since 2000
Since 2000, Philadelphia saw fewer days of high particle pollution, dropping from about 19 days per year to approximately 3 days, alongside an approximate 30% reduction in annual levels of particle pollution.
2001: Plan for Additional Overlay Codes Delayed
In 2001, a plan to introduce a third overlay code to both service areas, area code 445 to 215 and area code 835 to 610, was delayed and later rescinded.
2001: Jewish population estimate in 2001
In 2001, the Jewish population in the Philadelphia metropolitan area was estimated at 206,000, making it the sixth-largest Jewish population in the U.S. at that time.
2001: Significant reduction in high ozone days since 2001
Since 2001, Philadelphia experienced a significant reduction in high ozone days, decreasing from nearly 50 days per year to fewer than 10 days.
2005: Reintroduction of Trolley Service
In 2005, SEPTA reintroduced trolley service to the Girard Avenue Line, Route 15, revitalizing a historic transit option in Philadelphia.
2006: Population dropped to a low in 2006
In 2006, Philadelphia's population dropped to a low of 1,488,710 residents before beginning to rise again.
2009: Philadelphia Daily News becomes edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer
In 2009, The Daily News was published as an edition of the Inquirer.
2010: Language spoken at home in 2010
As of 2010, 79.12% of Philadelphia residents age 5 and older spoke English at home as a primary language, while 9.72% spoke Spanish. Other languages spoken at home included Chinese (1.64%), Vietnamese (0.89%), and Russian (0.77%). In total, 20.88% of Philadelphia's population age 5 and older spoke a language other than English at home in 2010.
2010: Philadelphia Media Holdings Bankruptcy
In 2010, Philadelphia Media Holdings, the owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News, declared bankruptcy, leading to financial struggles for the newspapers.
2012: Redesign and Reopening of Sister Cities Park
In 2012, Sister Cities Park was redesigned and reopened, featuring an interactive fountain honoring Philadelphia's sister and partnership cities, along with new amenities.
2012: Sale to Interstate General Media
In 2012, after financial struggles, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News were sold to Interstate General Media, marking a change in ownership.
2013: Circulation and Website Ranking
In 2013, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News had a combined daily circulation of 306,831 and a Sunday circulation of 477,313, making it the 18th-largest in the country. Their collective website, Philly.com, was ranked 13th in popularity among online U.S. newspapers.
2013: Data collection for the American Lung Association's 2017 State of the Air report
In 2013, data collection began for the American Lung Association's 2017 State of the Air report, which assessed air quality in Philadelphia County, ultimately resulting in a grade of F for ozone and a D for 24-hour particle pollution.
2014: Pew Research Center study in 2014
In 2014, a Pew Research Center study found that 68% of Philadelphia's population identified as Christian, with approximately 41% of Christians attending Protestant churches and 26% professing Catholic beliefs.
2014: City Council Refuses Hearing on PGW Sale
In 2014, the Philadelphia City Council refused to conduct hearings on a proposed $1.86 billion sale of Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), leading to the termination of the offer by the prospective buyer.
2015: Data collection for the American Lung Association's 2017 State of the Air report
In 2015, data collection continued for the American Lung Association's 2017 State of the Air report, evaluating air quality in Philadelphia County, which later received a grade of F for ozone and a D for 24-hour particle pollution.
2015: NIH Grants to Philadelphia Institutions
In 2015, hospitals, universities, and higher education research institutions in Philadelphia's four congressional districts received more than $252 million in National Institutes of Health grants, highlighting the city's strong research and healthcare sectors.
2015: Chinese American population in 2015
In 2015, over 35,000 Chinese Americans resided in Philadelphia, including a significant Fuzhounese population.
2016: Increase in foreign-born population between 2000 and 2016
By 2016, Philadelphia's foreign-born population had increased by 69% since 2000, making up almost 20% of the city's workforce.
2016: Tourism statistics for 2016
In 2016, Independence National Historical Park received over 5 million visitors. Philadelphia welcomed 42 million domestic tourists who spent $6.8 billion, generating an estimated $11 billion in total economic impact in the city and surrounding four counties of Pennsylvania.
December 2017: Top Ten Highest-Rated Radio Stations
In December 2017, the ten highest-rated radio stations in Philadelphia included WBEB-FM, WIP-FM, WMGK-FM, WDAS-FM, WOGL-FM, WMMR-FM, WXTU-FM, KYW-AM, WHYY-FM, and WRNB-FM, showcasing a variety of popular formats.
2017: Doubling of foreign-born population between 1990 and 2017
By 2017, Philadelphia's foreign-born population had doubled since 1990, accounting for 13.8% of the city's total population.
2017: American Lung Association's 2017 State of the Air report
In 2017, Philadelphia County received an ozone grade of F and a 24-hour particle pollution rating of D in the American Lung Association's State of the Air report, which analyzed data from 2013 to 2015. The city's rankings were 22nd for ozone, 20th for short-term particle pollution, and 11th for year-round particle pollution in 2017.
2017: 30th Street Station Passenger Count
In 2017, Philadelphia's 30th Street Station had 4.4 million passengers, making it the third-busiest station in the country after New York City's Pennsylvania Station and Washington's Union Station, highlighting its importance as a transportation hub.
2017: GMP calculated by the Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2017
In 2017, the Bureau of Economic Analysis calculated the Philadelphia metropolitan area's GMP as $445 billion.
2017: The Port of Philadelphia experienced the highest percentage growth by tonnage loaded in 2017
In 2017, the Port of Philadelphia experienced the highest percentage growth by tonnage loaded among major U.S. seaports.
2017: Population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2017
In 2017, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated Philadelphia's racial composition as 41.3% Black (non-Hispanic), 34.9% White (non-Hispanic), 14.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.1% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, and 2.8% multiracial.
February 3, 2018: Implementation of Area Code 445
On February 3, 2018, area code 445 was implemented as an overlay for area codes 215 and 267, adding to the phone number pool.
2018: 30th Street Station Rank
As of 2018, Philadelphia's 30th Street Station is Amtrak's third-busiest station in the country, after New York City and Washington, highlighting its importance in the national rail network.
2018: Number of Radio Stations in Philadelphia
As of 2018, the FCC listed 28 FM and 11 AM stations for Philadelphia, indicating a diverse radio landscape in the city.
2018: Shipping capacity doubled since 2018
Since 2018, the Port of Philadelphia has doubled its shipping capacity to accommodate super-sized post-Panamax shipping vessels.
May 2019: Walnut Street Theatre announced expansion
In May 2019, the Walnut Street Theatre announced a major expansion to begin in 2020.
2019: 2019 U.S. census estimate
In 2019, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Philadelphia. The 2020 census showed a 1.2% increase from this estimate.
2020: 2020 U.S. census
As of the 2020 U.S. census, Philadelphia had a population of 1,603,797 people, which represents a 1.2% increase from the 2019 census estimate. The racial composition included 39.3% Black, 36.3% White, 8.7% Asian, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 8.7% some other race, and 6.9% multiracial, with 14.9% of residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
2020: Planned expansion for Walnut Street Theatre to begin in 2020
The Walnut Street Theatre's major expansion, announced in May 2019, was scheduled to begin in 2020.
2021: Gross metropolitan product in 2021
As of 2021, the Philadelphia metropolitan area's gross metropolitan product (GMP) was estimated to be US$479 billion, representing the ninth-largest U.S. metropolitan economy.
2022: South American migrants transported to Philadelphia in 2022
Beginning in 2022, South American migrants were transported by bus from Texas to Philadelphia.
2023: Philadelphia International Airport Ranking
As of 2023, Philadelphia International Airport is the 21st-busiest airport in the nation with over 13.6 million passengers, and is among the world's busiest airports measured by traffic movements, indicating its significant role in air travel.
2023: Philadelphia Media Market Size
As of 2023, the Philadelphia media market is the fifth-largest in North America with over 7.8 million viewers, underscoring its significant presence in the media landscape.
2024: Delaware Valley ranks as one of the Big Five U.S. venture capital hubs
As of 2024, the Delaware Valley ranks as one of the Big Five U.S. venture capital hubs.
September 2025: Request to Review Sister City Agreement with Tianjin
In September 2025, John Moolenaar requested that Philadelphia review its sister city agreement with Tianjin.
2031: Completion of Replacement Arena for Philadelphia Flyers
The replacement arena owned by Comcast Spectacor for the Philadelphia Flyers is currently scheduled for completion in 2031.
Mentioned in this timeline
Basketball is a team sport played on a rectangular court...
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is a prominent American politician lawyer...
Barack Obama the th U S President - was the...
John F Kennedy JFK was the th U S President...
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr served as the th U S...
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team...
Trending
17 days ago John Deere Partners with Tarter USA for American-Made Flex Wing Cutters.
2 hours ago Minnesota sues DHS, claims Operation Metro Surge caused $600M economic damage.
11 months ago Drew Barrymore spotlights daughters and launches '70s-inspired furniture collection at Walmart.
5 hours ago Joel Eriksson Ek Featured in NHL Bets and DraftKings Fantasy Hockey Picks.
2 hours ago Warriors face uncertainty; Steve Kerr's future questioned, Draymond Green weighs in.
4 hours ago Jack Hughes: Olympic Experiences, Hall of Fame Eligibility, and Entertainment Recognition.
Popular
William Franklin Graham III known as Franklin Graham is an...
Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure...
Lindsey Graham is an American politician and attorney who has...
Kashyap Pramod Patel known as Kash Patel is an American...
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
Xavier Becerra is an American attorney and politician He served...