Philadelphia ranks in the top 10 places to recognize Memorial Day.
While the Memorial Day holiday weekend has evolved into an unofficial kickoff of summer, the national holiday on the last Monday in May commemorates the men and women who have lost their lives serving in the United States armed forces.
According to Sixt, Richmond, Virginia, and Washington D.C. held the top two spots. America’s birthplace, Philadelphia, earned the third spot thanks to its 12 war memorials, 5,483 veteran-owned businesses, and notable museum exhibitions.
The rich history of the city of Philadelphia is on full display at major landmarks like Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House, but other historical treasures hold an even deeper connection to the holiday.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Washington Square rests just a few blocks away from Independence Hall. It became an effectual graveyard during the American Revolution and in the early days of the United States.
In 1954, it became home to the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” to honor George Washington and all the casualties of the American Revolution.
The famous line from Washington’s farewell address in 1796 is carved on the inside of the tomb.
“The independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts of common dangers, suffering and success.”
All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors
The city of Philadelphia also honors the African American military men with the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors.
The memorial originally stood in West Fairmount Park in 1934. However, the city decided to move it to the Ben Franklin Parkway in 1994 to give it a more central and recognizable location.
The year 2023 also marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, and the 240th anniversary of the end of the American Revolution.
Honor the bravery of these fallen men and women with a history lesson in the neighborhoods of the city of Philadelphia this Memorial Day.