January 17th marks an important day in the history of America – the birthday of Benjamin Franklin!
Celebrated worldwide as Benjamin Franklin Day, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the man who wrote ‘Poor Richard’s Almanac’ and who was known for his many inventions. Did you know that 100 US dollar bills are also known as ‘Benjamins’? Find out more about Benjamin Franklin and why he is an important figure in American history in this article.
Introduction to Benjamin Franklin Day
Benjamin Franklin Day is celebrated on January 17th, the day that Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706. The day celebrates the life and achievements of one of America’s most important Founding Fathers.
Franklin was a polymath who made significant contributions in many fields, including politics, science, writing, and diplomacy. He played a pivotal role in the American Revolution and helped to draft the Declaration of Independence. He also negotiated the Treaty of Alliance with France, which proved instrumental in the eventual outcome of the war.
After the war, Franklin served as governor of Pennsylvania and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He later became one of the country’s first ambassadors to France.
Franklin was a respected scientist and inventor, and he made major contributions to our understanding of electricity. He also developed several useful inventions, including the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove.
Franklin was a man of great intelligence and accomplishment who helped to shape our nation. His birthday is an opportunity to celebrate his life and achievements.
Life of Benjamin Franklin and his Contributions
Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. He was the tenth son of soapmaker Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger, the second daughter of Peter Foulger and Mary Morrill. Among Benjamin’s siblings were his older brother James, who would become a fellow patriot and founding father; and his younger sister Jane, who died at age 18.
As a young boy, Franklin loved to read and often borrowed books from his brother James. When he was 12 years old, his father placed him as an apprentice under his brother John at a print shop in Boston. But after just a few months, Benjamin became homesick and ran away to New York City. After returning home, he eventually finished his apprenticeship and became a master printer.
In 1728, Franklin started publishing ‘The Pennsylvania Gazette’, which quickly became one of the colonies’ most popular newspapers. In 1731, he married Deborah Read and had two children: Sarah (1732-1758) and Francis (1732-1736).
While Deborah was pregnant with their third child, Franklin traveled to England to purchase supplies for his print shop. While there, he met many influential people including scientist Isaac Newton and political thinker John Locke. He also began working on what would become one of his most famous inventions: the lightning rod.
On his return trip to America in 1762, Franklin brought with him several copies of ‘Poor Richard’s Almanack’ which he had published in England. This popular book was filled with proverbs and advice that were meant to help the common people prosper both financially and intellectually.
During the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Franklin was appointed to serve in the Continental Congress and later as a diplomat to France where he worked hard to obtain French support for the colonies’ cause. He is also credited with helping draft some of the most important documents of the United States such as the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. Franklin also inventoried bifocal glasses, odometer and swim fins among other items that still used today.
Near the end of his life, Franklin dedicated himself to social reforms such as creating public libraries, insurance companies and educational foundations for young adults unable to attend college. On April 17, 1790, Benjamin Franklin died at 84 years old at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He left behind an impressive legacy which followed up till this day in the form of scientific works, inventions, social reforms, literary success and much more.
The Significance of January 17th and the Adoption of Benjamin Franklin Day
January 17th is significant because it marks the day that Benjamin Franklin was born. The day also commemorates the adoption of Benjamin Franklin as the patron saint of America by the Second Continental Congress in 1776. As the nation’s Founding Father, Franklin played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s course and has become an enduring symbol of American ingenuity and determination. Celebrating his birthday reminds us of the values he embodied and helps keep alive his legacy as one of our nation’s most consequential leaders.
Interesting Facts and Trivia About Benjamin Franklin
1. Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts.
2. He was the tenth son of Josiah Franklin, a candlemaker.
3. Franklin only had two years of formal education.
4. He started working for his father at the age of ten and ran away from home at the age of twelve to escape apprenticeship.
5. Franklin worked as a printer in Philadelphia before moving to London in 1724 to work with his brother James, a printer there.
6. He returned to Philadelphia in 1726 and began publishing ‘The Pennsylvania Gazette’, which became very successful.
7. In 1731, he married Deborah Read and they had two children together, William and Sarah. Deborah died in 1774.
8. In addition to being a famous printer and publisher, Franklin was also a scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat and philosopher.
9. Some of his famous inventions include bifocals, the lightning rod and the Franklin stove.
10. He was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.
Memorials, Monuments, and Locations Dedicated to Benjamin Franklin
Franklin Square:
Franklin Square is one of the five original squares planned by William Penn when he founded Philadelphia in 1682. It is named for Benjamin Franklin, who was born in Boston but moved to Philadelphia when he was 17 and made it his home for the rest of his life. The square has been home to many important events in American history, including George Washington’s reading of the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Army in 1776.
The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial:
The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial is located in the rotunda of The Franklin Institute science museum in Philadelphia. The 20-foot (6 meter) marble statue of a seated Benjamin Franklin was sculpted by James Earle Fraser and dedicated in 1938. Surrounding the statue are 36 columns representing the 36 virtues that Franklin listed in his autobiography as goals to live by.
The Ben Franklin Bridge:
The Ben Franklin Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the Delaware River between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey. The bridge is named for Founding Father and polymath Benjamin Franklin, who played a pivotal role in colonial America’s early development. At just over a mile long, it was the world’s longest suspension bridge when it opened in 1926, and it remains one of the busiest bridges in North America with more than 100,000 vehicles crossing it each day.
Franklin Court:
Franklin Court is a restored courtyard and museum complex located on Market Street between 3rd and 4 th Streets in Philadelphia. The complex includes several reconstructed buildings which were home to Benjamin Franklin, his family and his printing shop. Today, visitors can explore the courtyard and museum to learn about Franklin’s life and legacy.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial:
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is located on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The memorial honors the 32nd president of the United States, who served from 1933 until his death in 1945. It features four open-air rooms with sculptures, murals and waterfalls that illustrate Roosevelt’s life and accomplishments. The memorial also commemorates Benjamin Franklin as one of America’s Founding Fathers through a sculpture of Franklin offering a benediction at the site’s entrance.
The Use of “Benjamin” as a Synonym for the $100 Bill
Although the $100 bill is commonly called a ‘Benjamin,’ the term is not an official nickname. The bill is named after Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s Founding Fathers. He is pictured on the front of the bill, which was first issued in 1914.
While there are many theories about how the $100 bill came to be known as a ‘Benjamin,’ the most likely explanation is that it is simply a shortened form of ‘Benjamin Franklin.’ Over time, people began to use ‘Benjamin’ as a standalone term for the $100 bill.
Regardless of its origins, the use of ‘Benjamin’ as a synonym for the $100 bill is widespread and well-established. So next time you hear someone refer to a $100 bill as a ‘Benjamin,’ you’ll know they’re not just making things up!
Celebrations Around the World on Benjamin Franklin Day
In the United States, Benjamin Franklin Day is celebrated on April 17, the day on which Franklin was born in 1706. The day is not a public holiday, but events are held across the country to honor Franklin and his many accomplishments.
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the city where Franklin lived and worked for most of his life, a street festival is held every year on Benjamin Franklin Day. The festival features various food vendors selling traditional Philadelphia cuisine, as well as live music and entertainment. There are also several educational booths set up by local organizations, which provide information about Benjamin Franklin and his impact on American history.
Outside of the United States, Benjamin Franklin Day is not widely celebrated. However, there are a few events that are held each year to commemorate Franklin and his legacy. In London, England, a statue of Benjamin Franklin stands in Trafalgar Square. On Benjamin Franklin Day each year, a wreath is placed at the base of the statue in honor of the great man.
And finally, in France – where Franklin spent many years as an ambassador – a special dinner is held each year on April 17 at La Maison Francaise in Paris. The dinner features a menu of traditional French dishes that would have been served during Franklin’s time in France. Attendees also have the chance to view historical artifacts related to Benjamin Franklin on display at the event.
In memory of the great Benjamin Franklin and all that he accomplished, every January 17th is observed as an official holiday in his honor. This day serves not only to recognize the achievements of this iconic figure but also encourages us to reflect on how we can actively work towards positive change in our own lives. From inventing bifocals to mentoring pupils during The Great Linden Fire, Benjamin Franklin’s legacy continues today through his exemplary works and values immortalized by this special day.
