On December 12, 1787 Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
In 1897 the previous capitol was totally destroyed by fire. Architect Joseph Miller Huston designed a capitol that applied the artistic expression of Italian Renaissance to a new Renaissance in America. The dome was modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The current capitol was completed in 1906. President Teddy Roosevelt was at the dedication and described it as "the handsomest building I ever saw".
The lower dome and associated capitol addition was added in the 1980's.
The statue is on top of the dome. One hand is reaching out in friendship while the other hand holds a staff representing justice.
The United States Department of the Treasury selected a foundry in France to cast 55 full-sized replicas of the Liberty Bell. States and territories of the United States each received a bell as a gift to be displayed and rung on special occasions. Pennsylvania's bell is located at the entrance of the state museum.
The dome rises 272 feet above ground and weighs 26,000 tons.
The main stairs on the ground floor of the capitol were modeled after the stairs in the Paris Opera House.
There are 50 senatorial districts; each has one elected senator.
There are 203 representative districts; each has one elected representative.
The judicial system may be thought of as a pyramid, with the Supreme Court at the apex. There are seven Supreme Court justices; the justice with most senority serves as Chief Justice. If there's a tie in senority, senority is determined by drawing of lots.
