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Our Pennsylvania Story
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Benjamin Franklin, AGreat Pennsylvanian
Get ToKnowMe
1. electric
2. newspapers
3. lightning
Can you imagine having 14 brothers and sisters? Benjamin Franklin did! Hewas the
15th child in a large family. Hewas born January 17, 1706.
Ben Franklin could readwhen hewas five years old. He couldwritewhen hewas
seven. Benwent to school for only two years.
In those days, a young boywas taught to earn a living. When Benwas ten years old,
he started towork. He helped his father, whomade candles. People needed candles for
light. Therewere no
electric
lights.
“I don’t want tomake candles!” Ben told his father.
“Would you like to help your brother James?” said his father. “You could help James
in his printing shop.”
“I like to read,” Ben said, “I’d rather print thanmake candles.”
So Ben helped his brother in the printing shop. When hewas 17, Ben left his brother’s
shop. He had saved somemoney andwent to Philadelphia. At that time, Philadelphiawas
themost important city inAmerica.
Young Ben Franklin came to Philadelphia in 1723. Ben foundwork in Philadelphia. He
helped a printer. In a few years, Ben had his own printing shop. He sold books, pens, and
paper, too.
Ben Franklinwas always busy. He started a
newspaper
. Hewrote books. He found that
electricity and
lightning
are the same thing. He
plannedways tomake Philadelphia a better place
inwhich to live.
Ben Franklin planned:
1. the first public library
2. the first hospital in Pennsylvania
3. the school that became the University of
Pennsylvania
4. the first fire fighting company in Philadelphia
5. the first police in Philadelphia
6. the first street sweepers in Philadelphia
7. streetlights
Benjamin Franklin
