Well, it’s been a bit since we’ve talked about them, but looks like we got ourselves some more of the state series in our hands! So with that in mind let’s line a couple of these new releases up and get the facts, Jack.
Today’s main dishes: Pennsylvania and New York.
Now, what comes to your minds when I say them together? Vampires? No man, you’re thinking of Transylvania, AKA the European Pennsylvania, and some of the more strung-out homeless people in New York that occupy the subway system and have an aversion to natural light due to years of living within their subterranean society, a hidden paradise known only to a few, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the New York city streets.
Don’t worry, it’s an honest mistake we all make once or twice in our lives.
Actually what actually unifies them is something we’ve all got on the mind here at Shepherd Hills Cutlery: knives.
The Pennsylvania connection should be a given, what with W.R. Case and Sons being a longstanding example of quality within the industry for both the collector and worker alike, but New York also had a fairly historic knife making company in the form of Camilus Cutlery Company, dating all the way back in 1897.
Well, now that I got that little tidbit out of the way, let’s see some more!
Pennsylvania:
- The first baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh in 1909
- The first daily newspaper was published in Philadelphia on September 21st, 1784
- Jimmy Stewart was born and raised in Indiana Philadelphia. Every year at Christmas the downtown area is themed to the film ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
- Betsy Ross made the first American flag in Philadelphia
- Obligatory: W.R. Case and Sons is one of the most widespread producers of hand-crafted American pocketknives in the world and makes its home in the heart of Bradford, Pennsylvania
- The first computer was created in 1946 in Philadelphia
- At Washington Crossing, the famous ‘Crossing of the Delaware’ is reenacted on Christmas
- Go figure: Hershey Pennsylvania is considered the Chocolate Capital of the United States
- The first commercial broadcast station in the world was KDKA in Pittsburgh, starting in November 2nd, 1920
- In Hazleton, there’s a law that prohibits a person from sipping a carbonated drink while lecturing students in an auditorium
New York:
- The “New York Post”, first established in 1803 by Alexander Hamilton, is the oldest running newspaper in the US
- The first railroad in America ran 11 miles between Albany and Schenectady
- Niagara Falls is one of the seven wonders of the world
- A tough act to follow: In Yankee Stadium, Babe Ruth hit the first home run in the first game ever played there
- Gennaro Lombardi opened the first United States pizzeria in 1895 in New York City.
- In 1807 The Clermont made its maiden voyage from New York City to Albany making the vessel the first successful steamboat.
- In 1979 Vassar students were the first from a private college to be granted permission to study in the People’s Republic of China.
- Chittenago is the home of L. Frank Baum, author of the “Wizard of Oz”. It features a yellow brick inlaid sidewalks leading to Aunti Em’s and other Oz-themed businesses. Chittenago is the location of an annual Munchkins parade.
- He hit the snooze button too much: The Catskill mountains is the location of the legend of Rip Van Winkle
- Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken Jr. played against each other in Rochester vs. Pawtucket Red Sox in the longest game in baseball history. The game went a total of 33 innings.