“Goodbye” William Penn – Died 30 July 1718

William Penn (14 October 1644 – 30 July 1718) was an English gentleman and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania.  Under his direction, the city of Philadelphia was planned and developed.

In 1681, King Charles II handed over a large piece of his American land to William Penn to satisfy a debt the king owed to Penn’s father. This land included what is currently Pennsylvania and Delaware. Penn then sailed to America and his first step on American soil took place in New Castle in 1682.