On top of Philly news Black history: Philadelphia’s explosive and violent 19th century race riots
The city was home to the largest free African American population in the country, but racism led to destructive clashes. Destruction by Fire of Pennsylvania Hall, by J.T. Bowen, 1838 Feb. 26, 2021, 11:45 a.m. Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn email newsletter to get everything you need to know about Philadelphia, every day.
Early 19th century Philadelphia might have seemed like a budding haven for free Black people. Leading up to the Civil War, the city became home to the largest number of free African Americans in the country, and was a center for the abolitionist movement.
Man’s arrest at Art Museum steps prompts criticism Robert Moran, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia police were criticized Friday after two short video clips were posted on Twitter showing a man being arrested at the iconic Philadelphia Art Museum steps for allegedly soliciting donations from visitors in exchange for taking their pictures with their phones or cameras.
Claire Wolters, a local journalist, recorded the videos and posted them on her Twitter account. She later wrote an article about the incident that was published by the Billy Penn online news outlet.
Wolters wrote that she saw the unidentified man sitting by himself at the top the steps when he was approached by a police bike officer. She said the officer asked to see his identification and the man refused to provide any.
On top of Philly news Welcome to Philadelphia, city of ‘implausible sounding things’
A popular Twitter thread helped locals celebrate the idiosyncrasies of the place they know and love.
Positive Movement Entertainment is better known as the Philly Elmo drumline Feb. 24, 2021, 3:40 p.m. Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn email newsletter to get everything you need to know about Philadelphia, every day.
Mention Irish potato candy to people not from Philadelphia, and they likely won’t know what you’re talking about. Then they’ll be intrigued to discover there’s absolutely no potato in the recipe. For people who grew up in Philly, of course, the St. Patrick’s Day sweets are a time-honored tradition. They’re also a perfect example of the idiosyncrasies that define the city.
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