No Place Like Home

Fourth of July Fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Shot on a 50mm f/1.2L Lens at f/1.2, 1/45th sec, ISO 800. 

These days, you're getting a lot of emails about the 4th of July, Independence Day, American Flags, and a whole bunch of other stuff ostensibly related to America's history.

But the truth is, it's our very own hometown of Philadelphia that is the birthplace of American Independence. And we're damn proud of everything our great city has given this country. 

Here's a small taste of Philadelphia firsts. 

- First brick house in the US
- First fire engine bought for public purposes
- First botanical garden in the US
- First library in the US
- First hospital in the US
- First Anti-slavery society formed
- Where Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning and electricity were the same. 
- Birthplace of the United States Marine Corps

And all this happened BEFORE the country officially existed (before July 4th, 1776).

Then, 242 years and one day ago, on July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by the founding fathers right here in - you guessed it - Philadelphia. 

After that day, Philadelphia is also where:

- The first US Flag was sewn
- The first bank was established
- The first Congress met
- The first law school was established
- The first stock exchange opened
- The oldest active photographic society was founded
- The first railroad track was laid...

Should we go on?

As we like to say here in Philly: No one does the 4th like those who did it first. 

As the birthplace of the United States of America, Philly holds a week-long 4th of July Celebration, unlike any other in the country.  If you're local, you already know this. If you're not, you should check it out. 

So, now that we cleared up the issue of where you should be celebrating July 4th this year, we'd like to share a little celebration of our own we're having.

Get 15% OFF any order now through Sunday 7/8 using the code PHILLY4TH at checkout.

Enjoy the sun, the barbeques, the beer, and whatever else you're doing to celebrate tomorrow.. and of course, take some photos of it all.