What is the nickname for the city of Philadelphia?
- Philly
- The City of Brotherly Love
- The Cradle of Liberty
- The Quaker City
Correct Answer: Philly
Correct Answer Explanation: Philadelphia is often referred to as “Philly” for short.
The Liberty Bell was taken out of Philadelphia in 1777 because:
- It was being melted down to make munitions
- It had become a symbol of the British government
- It was too large and heavy to move
- It was not safe from British attack
Correct Answer: It was being melted down to make munitions
Correct Answer Explanation: Bells were often melted down for their metal to make munitions. The Liberty Bell, which was then known as the Pennsylvania State Bell, was transported to a church in present-day Allentown, where it was hidden for 9 months.
The Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia in what building?
- The Continental Congress Building
- The Pennsylvania State House
- Independence Hall
- The Liberty Bell Center
Correct Answer: Independence Hall
Correct Answer Explanation: Originally known as the Pennsylvania State House, the building was renamed Independence Hall after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Which American president lived in Philadelphia during the American Revolution?
- Thomas Jefferson
- George Washington
- John Adams
- Abraham Lincoln
Correct Answer: George Washington
Correct Answer Explanation: George Washington served as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and was elected as the first president of the United States in 1789. He moved to Philadelphia in 1790, where he served as president in the Presidential Mansion on Market Street.
What city is Philadelphia’s largest rival in professional sports?
- New York City
- Boston
- Baltimore
- Washington, D.C.
Correct Answer: New York City
Correct Answer Explanation: Philadelphia has a long-standing rivalry with New York City in professional sports, especially in baseball, basketball and hockey.
The city of Philadelphia is the seat of which county?
- Philadelphia County
- Bucks County
- Delaware County
- Montgomery County
Correct Answer: Philadelphia County
Correct Answer Explanation: Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county, meaning the city government has all of the functions of a county government as well.
Where is the largest urban park in the United States?
- Central Park in New York City
- Golden Gate Park in San Francisco
- Fairmount Park in Philadelphia
- Millennium Park in Chicago
Correct Answer: Fairmount Park in Philadelphia
Correct Answer Explanation: Fairmount Park, when combined with the adjacent Wissahickon Valley Park, is one of the largest contiguous urban park areas in the U.S.
Which of these historic attractions is NOT found in Philadelphia?
- The Liberty Bell
- Independence Hall
- The U.S. Capitol Building
- The Betsy Ross House
Correct Answer: The U.S. Capitol Building
Correct Answer Explanation: The U.S. Capitol Building is located in Washington, D.C.
What is the name of the famous street in Philadelphia that has a number of theaters and restaurants?
- Market Street
- Broad Street
- Chestnut Street
- Walnut Street
Correct Answer: Broad Street
Correct Answer Explanation: Broad Street is the site of a number of theaters, restaurants and nightclubs, including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
Which city is NOT a sister city of Philadelphia?
- Florence, Italy
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Paris, France
- Tianjin, China
Correct Answer: Paris, France
Correct Answer Explanation: Philadelphia does not have a sister city relationship with Paris.
What is the name of Philadelphia’s oldest continually operating tavern?
- McGillin’s Olde Ale House
- City Tavern
- The Goat
- The Old Stone House
Correct Answer: McGillin’s Olde Ale House
Correct Answer Explanation: McGillin’s Olde Ale House, opened in 1860 on Drury Street in Center City, is the oldest continually operated tavern in the city.
What is the name of the oldest continually operating opera house in the United States?
- The Metropolitan Opera House
- The Academy of Music
- The Kennedy Center
- The Lyric Opera House
Correct Answer: The Academy of Music
Correct Answer Explanation: The Academy of Music, which opened in 1857, is the oldest continually operating opera house in the United States and is the home of Opera Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Ballet.
Which one of these is NOT a major professional sports team in Philadelphia?
- The Eagles
- The Phillies
- The 76ers
- The Rangers
Correct Answer: The Rangers
Correct Answer Explanation: The Rangers are a New York City-based professional hockey team in the NHL.
Which of these is NOT a popular local food in Philadelphia?
- Cheesesteaks
- Hoagies
- Stromboli
- Baguettes
Correct Answer: Baguettes
Correct Answer Explanation: Baguettes are a French bread that are not as commonly associated with Philadelphia as the other foods listed.
What is the name of the annual folk parade held in Philadelphia every New Year’s Day?
- The Mardi Gras Parade
- The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- The Mummers Parade
- The St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Correct Answer: The Mummers Parade
Correct Answer Explanation: The Mummers Parade, which is held every New Year’s Day, is the oldest folk parade in the United States, and is also the longest continually held parade in the nation.
What is the name of the world-renowned conservatoire located in Philadelphia?
- The Juilliard School
- The Curtis Institute of Music
- The Peabody Institute
- The Eastman School of Music
Correct Answer: The Curtis Institute of Music
Correct Answer Explanation: The Curtis Institute of Music, located on Locust Street, is considered to be one of the top music schools in the world.
Which of these major league professional sports teams moved to another city after originating in Philadelphia?
- The Golden State Warriors
- The Oakland Raiders
- The Dallas Cowboys
- The St. Louis Cardinals
Correct Answer: The Golden State Warriors
Correct Answer Explanation: The Golden State Warriors played in Philadelphia from 1946 to 1962 before moving to San Francisco.
Which of these is NOT a major airport serving the Philadelphia area?
- Philadelphia International Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport
- Northeast Philadelphia Airport
- Wilmington International Airport
Correct Answer: John F. Kennedy International Airport
Correct Answer Explanation: John F. Kennedy International Airport is located in New York City.
The Philadelphia Phillies are the oldest team continuously playing under the same name in the same city in the history of American professional sports. Which other city also has a team that can claim this title?
- New York City
- Boston
- Chicago
- San Francisco
Correct Answer: Boston
Correct Answer Explanation: The Boston Red Sox, originally known as the Boston Americans, have continuously played in Boston since 1901, the same year they joined the American League.
The Philadelphia Eagles won their first Super Bowl in 2018. Which team was their opponent in the Super Bowl?
- The New England Patriots
- The New York Giants
- The Pittsburgh Steelers
- The Atlanta Falcons
Correct Answer: The New England Patriots
Correct Answer Explanation: The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots, 41 to 33, in Super Bowl LII.
Who was the first mayor of Philadelphia?
- William Penn
- Benjamin Franklin
- Thomas Jefferson
- Edmund Randolph
Correct Answer: Edmund Randolph
Correct Answer Explanation: Edmund Randolph was elected the first mayor of Philadelphia in 1701. William Penn was the founder of Pennsylvania, and Benjamin Franklin was a prominent citizen of Philadelphia and one of the Founding Fathers.
In 1793, a yellow fever epidemic killed thousands of Philadelphians. What percentage of the city’s population was killed in the epidemic?
- 1%
- 5%
- 10%
- 20%
Correct Answer: 10%
Correct Answer Explanation: The epidemic killed between 4,000 and 5,000 people, or about 10% of the city’s population at the time.
Which of these cities is NOT considered to be one of the Big Five American venture capital hubs?
- Philadelphia
- New York City
- Boston
- Los Angeles
Correct Answer: Los Angeles
Correct Answer Explanation: Los Angeles is not considered one of the Big Five American venture capital hubs.
Which of these is NOT a large section of Philadelphia that surrounds Center City?
- North Philadelphia
- Northeast Philadelphia
- South Philadelphia
- East Philadelphia
Correct Answer: East Philadelphia
Correct Answer Explanation: East Philadelphia is not one of the major sections of Philadelphia that surrounds Center City.
What is the name of the Philadelphia-based company that is the largest multinational telecommunications corporation in the U.S.?
- Verizon
- AT&T
- Comcast
- Sprint
Correct Answer: Comcast
Correct Answer Explanation: Comcast is headquartered in Philadelphia and is the largest multinational telecommunications corporation in the United States.
Which of these is the largest employer in the city of Philadelphia?
- Comcast
- The University of Pennsylvania
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- The city government
Correct Answer: The city government
Correct Answer Explanation: The city government employs more people than any private company or institution in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Police Department was involved in a controversial event in 1985. What was it?
- The MOVE Bombing
- The Kensington Riots
- The MOVE Riots
- The MOVE Shooting
Correct Answer: The MOVE Bombing
Correct Answer Explanation: The Philadelphia Police Department dropped a bomb on a house occupied by members of the MOVE organization in 1985. The bombing killed 11 people, including five children, and destroyed 61 homes.
What is the name of the river that flows through Philadelphia?
- The Hudson River
- The Delaware River
- The Ohio River
- The Mississippi River
Correct Answer: The Delaware River
Correct Answer Explanation: The Delaware River flows through Philadelphia and empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
What is the name of the Philadelphia-based organization that works to combat food insecurity in the city?
- Share Food Program
- Feeding America
- The Salvation Army
- Philabundance
Correct Answer: Philabundance
Correct Answer Explanation: Philabundance is one of the largest food banks in Pennsylvania, and is dedicated to ending hunger in the Philadelphia region.
What is the name of the Philadelphia-based organization that provides affordable housing in the city?
- The Philadelphia Housing Authority
- The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
- The Philadelphia Planning Commission
- The Philadelphia Parking Authority
Correct Answer: The Philadelphia Housing Authority
Correct Answer Explanation: The Philadelphia Housing Authority is the largest landlord in Pennsylvania, and is responsible for providing affordable housing to thousands of Philadelphia residents.
The Philadelphia Flyers were founded in 1967, the same year as another major league professional sports team in Philadelphia. What is the name of the other team?
- The Philadelphia Phillies
- The Philadelphia Eagles
- The Philadelphia 76ers
- The Philadelphia Union
Correct Answer: The Philadelphia 76ers
Correct Answer Explanation: The Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA joined the league in 1967.
Which of these universities is NOT part of the Philadelphia Big 5?
- La Salle University
- Drexel University
- Temple University
- Saint Joseph’s University
Correct Answer: Drexel University
Correct Answer Explanation: Drexel University is not part of the Philadelphia Big 5. The Big 5 consists of La Salle University, Penn, Saint Joseph’s, Temple, and Villanova universities.
What is the name of the oldest public park in the United States?
- Central Park
- Fairmount Park
- Golden Gate Park
- Boston Common
Correct Answer: Boston Common
Correct Answer Explanation: Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States. It was established in 1634. Fairmount Park is one of the largest, but not the oldest.
What was the name of the popular teen dance party program that premiered in Philadelphia in 1952?
- American Bandstand
- The Ed Sullivan Show
- The Tonight Show
- The Today Show
Correct Answer: American Bandstand
Correct Answer Explanation: American Bandstand, originally called Bandstand, premiered in Philadelphia in 1952 and was hosted by Bob Horn. The show was later renamed American Bandstand in 1957 and moved to Los Angeles in 1964.
Which of these is NOT a current U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania?
- Bob Casey Jr.
- John Fetterman
- Arlen Specter
- Pat Toomey
Correct Answer: Arlen Specter
Correct Answer Explanation: Arlen Specter was a Pennsylvania senator from 1981 to 2011, but is currently retired. John Fetterman and Bob Casey Jr. are currently serving as U.S. senators.
Which of these organizations is NOT based in Philadelphia?
- The Library Company of Philadelphia
- The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
- The National Endowment for the Humanities
- The Presbyterian Historical Society
Correct Answer: The National Endowment for the Humanities
Correct Answer Explanation: The National Endowment for the Humanities is based in Washington, D.C., while the other three organizations are based in Philadelphia.
Who wrote the Philadelphia song “You’ve Got a Friend” for the 1971 television movie of the same name?
- Elton John
- Carole King
- Billy Joel
- James Taylor
Correct Answer: Carole King
Correct Answer Explanation: Carole King wrote the song “You’ve Got a Friend” for the 1971 television movie of the same name. The song was also a major hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971, reaching number one.
How many U.S. presidential elections has the city of Philadelphia voted for a Republican candidate?
- Twice
- Thrice
- None
- Once
Correct Answer: None
Correct Answer Explanation: Philadelphia has voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1936.
Which of these cities is NOT home to a Chinatown?
- New York City
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco
- Miami
Correct Answer: Miami
Correct Answer Explanation: Philadelphia, San Francisco and New York City are all home to Chinatowns.
What is the name of the Philadelphia-based newspaper that was published as an edition of the Inquirer since 2009?
- The Philadelphia Daily News
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
- The Philadelphia Tribune
- The Philadelphia Gay News
Correct Answer: The Philadelphia Daily News
Correct Answer Explanation: The Philadelphia Daily News was published as an edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer since 2009. The two newspapers are owned by Interstate General Media.
What is the name of the Philadelphia-based organization that works to promote public art in the city?
- The Philadelphia Museum of Art
- The Mural Arts Program
- The Philadelphia Orchestra
- The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Correct Answer: The Mural Arts Program
Correct Answer Explanation: The Mural Arts Program, established in 1984, is one of the largest public art programs in the United States and is known for its numerous murals in Philadelphia neighborhoods.