Why Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has been chosen as the Bible City 2009 because of its rich heritage in the Bible. Since its founding, the City of Philadelphia has had roots found in scriptures, and it is still true today.
Rev. William Penn, the founding father of the city and a Quaker Minister, was imprisoned for his faith in England. When he established the city, he got the name from the book of Revelation 3:7. He wanted the city to be a safe haven for all. The heart of the City of Brotherly Love is found in the “Golden Rule” of Matthew 7:12, “So in everything, do unto others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (NIV).
The Liberty Bell came to prominence during the American Revolutionary War. It is a familiar symbol of independence within the United States and has been described as an icon of liberty and justice. The Bible verse in the inscription is from the Old Testament, Leviticus 25:10, “And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his clan” (ESV).
According to tradition, its most famous ringing occurred on July 8, 1776, to summon citizens of Philadelphia for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. It is also said that the bell was rung to announce the First Continental Congress in 1774 and after the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775.
In 1781, Robert Aitken printed the first English Bible in the United States in Philadelphia. The printing was necessary because during and after the war, England stopped exporting Bibles to the United States. After much petitioning, the US Congress approved his Bible in 1782, making it the first and only Bible to ever be approved by the US Congress.