52 Weeks of Firsts: Naming the United State of America

Did you know the United States of America was named in Philadelphia in 1776? The Second Continental Congress passed a resolution at Independence Hall replacing the old term United Colonies to United States of America on Sept. 9 of 1776. Sara Karpinski is a park ranger at Independence National Historical Park. "It really does start to sink in to the psyche of this new burgeoning, nervous nation, but it also goes into to starting to craft an identity for the folks who are fighting for this new nation. Washington and his army start using, pretty quickly, by 1777, they start putting U.S.A. on their regimental coat buttons." Thomas Jefferson is credited as being the first person to come up with the name a few months before its adoption, which he used while drafting the Declaration of Independence in June, 1776. On Saturday the 39th of the 52 weeks of Philadelphia originals celebrated this year will take place in University city for opening the first Ronald McDonald House more than 50 years ago. More information at 52firstsphilly.com (Photo: 52 Weeks of Firsts)