The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (pronounced ) is a state in the eastern part of the United States. One of the original Thirteen Colonies that founded the country, it is known as the Keystone State, which is appropriate given its central location among the original colonies, or the Quaker State. With industry making Conestoga wagons and rifles, and tobacco farms, it was a transitional area bearing characteristics of both the heavily industrialized North and the agrarian South.

Consequently, three Keystone State cities—Philadelphia, Lancaster, and York—served as capital of the new nation, with the Founding Fathers drawing up and signing the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is known as the cradle of the American Nation.

Pennsylvania has two coastal areas: 63 miles (100 km) of coastline along Lake Erie and 57 miles (92 km) along the Delaware Estuary. Philadelphia is home to a major seaport and shipyards on the Delaware River.

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Inquirer front page

FCC chief Martin: The nation's indecency czar
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:01:00 -0000
They hail him as a hero. He is Kevin J. Martin, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and, for proponents of family values, the man who can shield America's living rooms from the coarse and offensive offerings of the cable television industry.
15 held years in Colombia are freed
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:01:00 -0000
BOGOTA, Colombia - Colombian spies tricked leftist rebels into handing over kidnapped presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. military contractors yesterday in a daring helicopter rescue so successful that not a single shot was fired.
Tour guides challenge Phila. licensing law
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:01:00 -0000
An unconstitutional law in the birthplace of the Constitution? There is indeed, claim three tour guides who have taken issue with City Council's attempt to ensure that they know their history.
No major cuts in flights planned for Philadelphia
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:01:00 -0000
Passengers traveling from Philadelphia International Airport after Labor Day will be spared the deep cuts in flight schedules that some other cities will see as airlines grapple with soaring fuel costs.
Sweeney-Buono alliance shakes up N.J. Senate
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:01:00 -0000
They form an unlikely pair. New Jersey's Senate majority leader, Steve Sweeney, is an ironworker-turned-legislator who wears a size-54 jacket, speaks plainly, and dots his sentences with "know-what-I-mean."
Quick sales a boon amid housing slump
Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:01:00 -0000
Home sellers and real estate agents are getting tired of being told how dismal the market is - kind of like ski lodge operators grown weary of hearing how global warming squelches all those old-fashioned snowstorms we used to have.

Today's Tribune-Review

Carnegie police seek robbery suspect
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:08:06 -0400
Police in Carnegie are looking for an 18-year-old man wanted for armed robbery and assault.
Motorcyclist critical after Downtown accident
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:05:19 -0400
A motorcyclist was in critical condition this morning after colliding with a car Downtown.
Look here for Pens free agent news
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:15:04 -0400
Penguins writer Rob Rossi and the Trib are following NHL free agency as it begins its third day today.
Clemente Bridge closed most of July 4
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0400
The Clemente Bridge, which spans the Allegheny River between Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Downtown, and Federal Street on the North Shore, will be closed most of the day Friday for Fourth of July activities.
Garfield man critically wounded in admitted drug deal
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0400
The victim was shot in the back while more than a dozen children were playing nearby.
Arrest made in fatal shooting of 15-year-old boy
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:42:21 -0400
Romeo Price, 19, is charged with criminal homicide and a weapons violation in the Jan. 29 slaying of Ernest Tolliver, 15, who was shot while sitting in the front passenger seat of his mother's car at the Kentucky Fried Chicken at 7210 Frankstown Ave. in Homewood.

Centredaily.com: Local

Looking its best for the fests
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:57:00 -0400
STATE COLLEGE — The town and its people cleaned house for the nation's birthday Wednesday — sprucing up storefronts, weeding flower beds and hammering into place the festive structures of July.
Charges dismissed against one streaker
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:02:00 -0400
BELLEFONTE — Score one for the streakers.
Firm will analyze hard drive
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:05:00 -0400
BELLEFONTE — Centre County will spend thousands of dollars to have a Minnesota firm inspect the hard drive thought to be from the laptop computer belonging to missing former District Attorney Ray Gricar, his successor said Wednesday.

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