The birthplace of the United States0

• Earth Observatory, Human Dimensions, SCIENCE, Science / Health, Science Mission Directorate, scientists, Space, Space Communications & Navigation Program, Space Launch System (SLS), Space Telescope, space-x-ipo, SpaceX
• July 3, 2026

Editor’s note: In honor of America’s 250th birthday, the Earth Observatory is revisiting stories about the landscapes that helped shape American history. The images and text on this page were originally published on July 4, 2017. Explore the full collection here. Located between the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers, Philadelphia was founded in 1682 by William