History of Philadelphia in Timeline

Philadelphia, or Philly, is Pennsylvania's most populous city and the sixth-largest in the U.S., with a population of 1.6 million. Its metropolitan area is the ninth-largest nationally, with 6.33 million residents. Renowned for its culture, cuisine, and history, Philadelphia maintains influence in business, industry, culture, sports, and music.

1902: PECO Renamed

In 1902, the Brush Electric Light Company of Philadelphia was renamed Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO).

1905: Market-Frankford Line Subway Section Opening (West)

In 1905, the subway section of Philadelphia's Market–Frankford Line running east–west under Market Street opened to the west of City Hall.

1908: Market-Frankford Line Subway Section Opening (East)

In 1908, the subway section of Philadelphia's Market–Frankford Line running east–west under Market Street opened to the east of City Hall.

1909: Decommissioning of Fairmount Water Works

In 1909, the Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia was decommissioned as the city transitioned to modern sand filtration methods.

1910: General Strike of 1910

In 1910, a general strike shut down the entire city of Philadelphia, marking a period of unrest.

1911: Electric Trolleys in Philadelphia

In 1911, Philadelphia had nearly 4,000 electric trolleys running on 86 lines.

August 1912: First Experimental Radio License

In August 1912, the first experimental radio license was issued in Philadelphia to St. Joseph's College.

1917: City Council Restructuring in 1917

In 1917, following public outrage over the election-year murder of a Philadelphia police officer, the City Council shrank from two houses to just one.

August 7, 1918: Highest Recorded Temperature on August 7, 1918

On August 7, 1918, the highest recorded temperature in Philadelphia was 106 °F (41 °C).

July 1919: Philadelphia Race Riot during Red Summer in July 1919

In July 1919, Philadelphia was one of over 36 industrial cities nationally to experience a race riot during the Red Summer, a period of post-World War I unrest where recent immigrants competed with Black Americans for jobs.

1922: First Commercial AM Radio Stations

In 1922, the first commercial AM radio stations began broadcasting in Philadelphia: WIP, owned by Gimbels department store, followed by WFIL, owned by Strawbridge & Clothier department store, and WOO, owned by Wanamaker's department store, as well as WCAU and WDAS.

1922: Low Rainfall in 1922

The average annual rate of precipitation historically ranging from 29.31 in (744 mm) in 1922

1925: Philadelphia Daily News First Published

In 1925, the Philadelphia Daily News was first published.

1928: Broad Street Line Opening (Stage 1)

In 1928, the Broad Street Line running north–south beneath Broad Street opened in stages.

1930: African-American Population Growth by 1930

Between 1880 and 1930, the African-American population of Philadelphia significantly increased from 31,699 to 219,559, largely stemming from the Great Migration from the South.

1932: Construction of the PSFS Building in 1932

In 1932, Philadelphia became home to the first modern International Style skyscraper in the United States, the PSFS Building, designed by George Howe and William Lescaze.

February 9, 1934: Lowest Recorded Temperature on February 9, 1934

On February 9, 1934, the lowest officially recorded temperature in Philadelphia was −11 °F (−24 °C).

1937: Establishment of the Philadelphia Housing Authority in 1937

In 1937, the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) was established. It is the largest landlord in Pennsylvania and the nation's fourth-largest housing authority.

1938: Broad Street Line Opening (Final Stage)

In 1938, the Broad Street Line running north–south beneath Broad Street opened with the final stage.

1938: Formalization of Independence Day in 1938

In 1938, the annual celebration of the Declaration of Independence was formalized as Independence Day, which is now one of eleven designated U.S. federal holidays.

1939: W3XE Becomes NBC Affiliate

In 1939, Philadelphia's first television station, W3XE, an experimental station owned by Philco, became the nation's first NBC affiliate, later becoming KYW-TV.

1940: Demographics of Philadelphia in 1940

In 1940, non-Hispanic whites constituted 86.8% of the city's population in Philadelphia.

1947: Area Code 215 Assigned

In 1947, Southeastern Pennsylvania was assigned the 215 area code.

1950: Record High Population

In 1950, Philadelphia recorded its highest population of 2,071,605, marking the beginning of a long period of population decline for the city.

1950: Philadelphia Population Peak in 1950

In 1950, Philadelphia's population peaked at more than two million residents, after which it began to decline due to industrial restructuring and suburbanization.

1950: Population Decline Beginning in 1950

Starting in 1950, Philadelphia's population began to decline, leading to economic challenges. This decline lasted until 2000.

1952: Bandstand Premieres

In 1952, WFIL (later WPVI) premiered the television show "Bandstand", which later became the nationally broadcast "American Bandstand" hosted by Dick Clark.

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1955: Creation of the Philadelphia Historical Commission in 1955

In 1955, the Philadelphia Historical Commission was created to preserve the cultural and architectural history of the city.

1959: Percent for Art Ordinance

In 1959, lobbying by the Artists Equity Association helped create the Percent for Art ordinance, the first for a U.S. city, which funded more than 200 pieces of public art.

1972: Listing of Fairmount Park on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972

Since 1972, Fairmount Park and Wissahickon Valley Park, along with the Colonial Revival, Georgian and Federal-style mansions in them, have been listed as one entity on the National Register of Historic Places.

1972: Light Snowfall in 1972-73

The seasonal snowfall accumulation ranged from trace amounts in 1972–73.

June 1976: Sister Cities Park Dedicated

In June 1976, 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 release of the film "Rocky" made the long flight of steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art's main entrance famous.

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1980: Philadelphia Zoning Code in 1980

In 1980, Philadelphia's zoning code was established and later overhauled between 2007 and 2012.

1984: Chinatown Gate Erected

In 1984, the Chinatown Gate was erected as a symbol of the sister city relationship with Tianjin.

1984: Mural Arts Program Creation

In 1984, the Department of Recreation created the Mural Arts Program to beautify neighborhoods and provide an outlet for graffiti artists, funding more than 2,800 murals.

1985: MOVE Bombing in 1985

In 1985, the MOVE Bombing occurred in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood in Philadelphia, where city helicopters bombed a residential area, resulting in 11 deaths and the destruction of 61 homes.

1987: Completion of One Liberty Place in 1987

In 1987, One Liberty Place was completed, surpassing the City Hall as the tallest building in Philadelphia.

1987: City Ownership of PGW

In 1987, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) came under city ownership.

1990: Foreign-Born Population Increase

Between 1990 and 2017, Philadelphia's foreign-born population doubled to constitute 13.8% of the city's total population.

January 19, 1994: Last Occurrence of 0°F- Temperature on January 19, 1994

Temperatures at or below 0 °F (−18 °C) are rare, with the last such occurrence being January 19, 1994.

1994: Area Code Split

In 1994, the geographic area covered by the 215 area code was split nearly in half with the creation of area code 610.

January 1996: Heaviest Single-Storm Snowfall in January 1996

In January 1996, Philadelphia experienced its heaviest single-storm snowfall, measuring 30.7 inches (78 cm).

1997: Area Code 267 Added

In 1997, overlay area code 267 was added to the 215 service area.

1999: Area Code 484 Added

In 1999, area code 484 was added to the 610 area.

2000: Increase in Foreign-Born Population

Between 2000 and 2016, Philadelphia's foreign-born population increased significantly, constituting nearly 20% of the city's workforce.

2000: End of Population Decline by 2000

By 2000, Philadelphia had lost about 25 percent of its residents since 1950, but immigration began to reverse this population decline.

2000: Reduction in Particle Pollution Days since 2000

Since 2000, Philadelphia experienced fewer days of high particle pollution—from about 19 days per year to about 3—and an approximate 30% reduction in annual levels of particle pollution, according to the American Lung Association's 2017 State of the Air report.

2001: Plan to Introduce Overlay Code Delayed

In 2001, a plan to introduce a third overlay code was delayed and later rescinded.

2001: Jewish Population Estimate

In 2001, the Philadelphia metropolitan area's Jewish population was estimated at 206,000, making it the sixth-largest in the U.S. at that time.

2001: Reduction in High Ozone Days since 2001

Since 2001, Philadelphia experienced a significant reduction in high ozone days—from nearly 50 days per year to fewer than 10—according to the American Lung Association's 2017 State of the Air report.

2005: District Graduation Rate

In 2005, Philadelphia had a district graduation rate of 52%.

2005: Reintroduction of Trolley Service on Girard Avenue Line

In 2005, SEPTA reintroduced trolley service to the Girard Avenue Line, Route 15.

2006: Population Low

In 2006, Philadelphia's population reached a low of 1,488,710 residents, after which it began to rise again.

2007: Overhaul of Zoning Code Beginning in 2007

From 2007 to 2012, much of Philadelphia's 1980 zoning code was overhauled as part of a joint effort between former mayors John F. Street and Michael Nutter.

2007: Population Growth Beginning in 2007

In 2007, Philadelphia began experiencing a growth in its population, which has continued with incremental annual increases through the present.

2007: Completion of the Comcast Center in 2007

In 2007, the Comcast Center surpassed One Liberty Place to become the city's tallest building.

2007: Nasdaq Acquisition

In 2007, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange was acquired by Nasdaq, positioning it as a global leader in options trading.

2008: Nasdaq Acquisition of Philadelphia Stock Exchange in 2008

In 2008, Nasdaq acquired the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange is the nation's oldest stock exchange and a global leader in options trading.

2009: Daily News as edition of Inquirer

In 2009, the Philadelphia Daily News was published as an edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

2009: Heavy Snowfall in 2009-10

The seasonal snowfall accumulation has ranged to 78.7 inches (200 cm) in the winter of 2009–10.

July 24, 2010: Record High Minimum Temperature on July 24, 2010

On July 24, 2010, the record high minimum temperature was 83 °F (28 °C).

2010: Philadelphia Media Holdings Bankruptcy

In 2010, Philadelphia Media Holdings, then owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News, declared bankruptcy.

2010: Primary Languages Spoken at Home

In 2010, approximately 79.12% of Philadelphia residents age 5 and older spoke English at home as a primary language, with other significant languages including Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

2010: K-12 Enrollment in District-Run Schools

In 2010, the K-12 enrollment in Philadelphia district-run schools was 156,211 students.

July 23, 2011: Record High Minimum Temperature on July 23, 2011

On July 23, 2011, the record high minimum temperature was 83 °F (28 °C).

2011: Peak Scores on Standardized Test

In 2011, Philadelphia schools reached their peak scores on the state's standardized test, with 59.0% on math and 52.3% on reading.

2011: High Rainfall in 2011

The average annual rate of precipitation historically ranging from 64.33 in (1,634 mm) in 2011.

2012: Overhaul of Zoning Code Ending in 2012

From 2007 to 2012, much of Philadelphia's 1980 zoning code was overhauled as part of a joint effort between former mayors John F. Street and Michael Nutter.

2012: Sister Cities Park Redesign and Reopening

In 2012, Sister Cities Park was redesigned and reopened, featuring an interactive fountain, a café and visitor center, a children's play area, an outdoor garden, a boat pond, and a pavilion built to environmentally friendly standards.

2012: Newspaper Sale to Interstate General Media

In 2012, after two years of financial struggle, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News were sold to Interstate General Media.

July 28, 2013: Record Rainfall on July 28, 2013

On July 28, 2013, the most rain recorded in one day occurred, when 8.02 inches (204 mm) fell at Philadelphia International Airport.

2013: Marijuana Arrests

From 2013 to 2018, marijuana arrests in Philadelphia dropped by more than 85%.

2013: Combined Newspaper Circulation

In 2013, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News had a combined daily circulation of 306,831 and a Sunday circulation of 477,313, ranking 18th in the country. Their website, Philly.com, was ranked 13th in popularity among online U.S. newspapers.

2013: Closure of Public Schools

In 2013, the consistent drop in enrollment led the city to close 24 of its public schools.

2013: Air Quality Report Data in 2013

The American Lung Association's 2017 State of the Air report, which analyzed data from 2013 to 2015, provided information on Philadelphia's air quality.

2014: School District Statistics

As of 2014, the Philadelphia School District, the eighth-largest in the nation, had 142,266 students in 218 traditional public schools and 86 charter schools.

2014: Total Park Space in 2014

As of 2014, the city's total park space, including municipal, state, and federal parks in the city, amounts to 11,211 acres (17.5 sq mi).

2014: Graduation Rate

By 2014, Philadelphia's district graduation rate increased to 65%, although it was still below the national and state averages.

2014: Average Spending Per Pupil

During the 2014 school year, the city spent an average of $12,570 per pupil, which was below the average among comparable urban school districts.

2014: Decriminalization of Marijuana Possession

In 2014, Philadelphia decriminalized the possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana or eight grams of hashish, allowing police officers to treat possession as a civil infraction punishable by a $25 ticket.

2014: Religious Identification Study

In 2014, a Pew Research Center study found that 68% of Philadelphia's population identified as Christian, with Protestant and Catholic beliefs being predominant.

2014: SAT Performance

In 2014, only four of Philadelphia's public high schools, including charter schools, performed above the national average on the SAT: Masterman, Central, Girard Academic Music Program, and MaST Community Charter School.

2014: City Council Refuses Hearings on PGW Sale

In 2014, the Philadelphia City Council refused to conduct hearings on a $1.86 billion sale of Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), leading to the prospective buyer terminating its offer.

2015: Center City Population in 2015

As of 2015, Center City Philadelphia had an estimated 183,240 residents, making it the second-most populated downtown area in the United States after Midtown Manhattan in New York City.

2015: National Institutes of Health Grants

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.

2015: Chinese American Population

In 2015, over 35,000 Chinese Americans lived in Philadelphia, including a Fuzhounese population, contributing to the city's diverse Asian American community.

2015: K-12 Enrollment in District-Run Schools Decreases

In 2015, the K-12 enrollment in district-run schools dropped to 130,104 students.

2015: Air Quality Report Data in 2015

The American Lung Association's 2017 State of the Air report, which analyzed data from 2013 to 2015, provided information on Philadelphia's air quality.

2016: Foreign-Born Workforce

By 2016, the foreign-born population constituted nearly 20% of Philadelphia's workforce due to economic growth and immigration.

2016: Tourism Statistics

In 2016, Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park received over 5 million visitors, and the city welcomed 42 million domestic tourists who spent $6.8 billion, generating an estimated $11 billion in total economic impact.

December 2017: Highest-Rated Radio Stations

As of December 2017, the ten highest-rated radio stations in Philadelphia were WBEB-FM (101.1), WIP-FM (94.1), WMGK-FM (102.9), WDAS-FM (105.3), WOGL-FM (98.1), WMMR-FM (93.3), WXTU-FM (92.5), KYW-AM (1060), WHYY-FM (90.9), and WRNB-FM (100.3).

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.

2017: Bureau of Economic Analysis Calculation

In 2017, the Bureau of Economic Analysis calculated Philadelphia's gross metropolitan product (GMP) as $445 billion.

2017: Port of Philadelphia Growth

In 2017, the Port of Philadelphia experienced the highest percentage growth by tonnage loaded among major U.S. seaports.

2017: Racial Composition Estimate

In 2017, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated Philadelphia's racial composition to be primarily Black (non-Hispanic) and White (non-Hispanic), with significant Hispanic or Latino and Asian populations.

2017: Foreign-Born Population Share

In 2017, the foreign-born population made up 13.8% of Philadelphia's total population, showing significant growth since 1990.

2017: Air Quality Report in 2017

In the American Lung Association's 2017 State of the Air report, Philadelphia County received an ozone grade of F and a 24-hour particle pollution rating of D, analyzing data from 2013 to 2015.

February 3, 2018: Area Code 445 Implementation

Area code 445 was implemented as an overlay for area codes 215 and 267 starting on February 3, 2018.

2018: 30th Street Station Ranking

As of 2018, Philadelphia's 30th Street Station is Amtrak's third-busiest station in the country.

2018: FM and AM Stations Listed by FCC

As of 2018, the FCC lists 28 FM and 11 AM stations for Philadelphia.

2018: Marijuana Arrests

From 2013 to 2018, marijuana arrests in Philadelphia dropped by more than 85%.

2018: Completion of the Comcast Technology Center in 2018

In 2018, the Comcast Technology Center was completed, reaching a height of 1,121 ft (342 m), and becoming the tallest building in the United States outside of Manhattan and Chicago.

2018: Shipping Capacity Doubled

Since 2018, the Port of Philadelphia has doubled its shipping capacity to accommodate super-sized post-Panamax shipping vessels.

May 2019: Walnut Street Theatre Expansion Announcement

In May 2019, the Walnut Street Theatre announced a major expansion to begin in 2020.

July 21, 2019: Last Occurrence of 100°F+ Temperature on July 21, 2019

The last occurrence of such a temperature being July 21, 2019.

2019: 2019 Census Estimate

As of 2019, the U.S. Census estimated the population of Philadelphia as slightly lower than the 2020 count, marking a baseline for population growth calculations.

2020: 2020 U.S. Census Data

In 2020, the U.S. Census recorded 1,603,797 people residing in Philadelphia, a 1.2% increase from the 2019 estimate. The city's racial composition was diverse, with significant Black, White, and Asian populations, and a notable Hispanic or Latino presence.

2020: Walnut Street Theatre Expansion Start

In 2020, the Walnut Street Theatre's major expansion was scheduled to begin.

2020: Philadelphia Population in 2020

In 2020, the census recorded Philadelphia as having a population of 1.6 million, making it the sixth-most populous city in the United States. The Philadelphia metropolitan area, also known as the Delaware Valley, had 6.33 million residents in 2020, ranking as the nation's ninth-largest metropolitan area.

2021: Gross Metropolitan Product

As of 2021, the Philadelphia metropolitan area's gross metropolitan product (GMP) was estimated at US$479 billion, making it the ninth-largest U.S. metropolitan economy.

2022: Transportation of South American Migrants

In 2022, South American migrants were being transported by bus from Texas to Philadelphia, adding to the city's diverse population.

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.

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

2023: Philadelphia's Economy in 2023

As of 2023, the Philadelphia metropolitan area had a gross metropolitan product of US$557.6 billion and is home to 13 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters. 30th Street Station had over 4.1 million passengers in 2023 making it the third-busiest Amtrak hub in the nation.

September 2024: Philadelphia Television Market

Since September 2024, Philadelphia is the nation's largest television market where at least one of the six English networks are shown at a station not owned by a particular network's associated parent company.

2024: Delaware Valley Venture Capital Hub Ranking

As of 2024, the Delaware Valley is ranked as one of the Big Five U.S. venture capital hubs due to its proximity to entrepreneurial, financial, and regulatory ecosystems.