Pennsylvania

War History of Pennsylvania

French and Indian War (1754–1763)

Western Pennsylvania was the scene of intense battles between French and British forces with Native allies. Fort Duquesne is where General Edward Braddock was defeated in 1755. The British eventually established Fort Pitt, which became Pittsburgh.

American Revolution — Birthplace of Liberty

Philadelphia was the capital of the Revolution. The Declaration of Independence was signed at Independence Hall in 1776. The winter of 1777–1778 at Valley Forge was a human disaster — thousands of soldiers died from starvation and cold.

Civil War — Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 was the largest battle in North America. Over 50,000 casualties in three days. It was the turning point of the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address there.

Labor Massacres

The Homestead Strike of 1892 was a labor massacre. Pinkerton detectives shot at striking workers in Pittsburgh. The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902 was also violently suppressed.