William Penn

For the British admiral, see William Penn (admiral).

Posthumous honors

On November 28, 1984 Ronald Reagan, upon an Act of Congress by Presidential Proclamation 5284 declared William Penn and his second wife, Hannah Callowhill Penn, each to be an Honorary Citizen of the United States.

Related Topics:
November 28 - 1984 - Ronald Reagan - Act of Congress - Hannah Callowhill Penn - Honorary Citizen of the United States

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There is a widely told, perhaps apocryphal, story that at one time George Fox and William Penn met. At this meeting William Penn expressed concern over wearing a sword (a standard part of dress for people of Penn's station), and how this was not in keeping with Quaker beliefs. George Fox responded, "Wear it as long as thou canst." Later, according to the story, Penn again met Fox, but this time without the sword. Penn then said, "I have taken thy advice; I wore it as long as I could."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There is a statue of William Penn atop the City Hall building of Philadelphia, built by Alexander Milne Calder. At one time, there was a gentlemen's agreement that no building should be higher than Penn's statue. One Liberty Place was among the first of several buildings in the late 1980s to be built higher than Penn. The statue is referenced by the so called Curse of Billy Penn.

Related Topics:
Statue - Alexander Milne Calder - Gentlemen's agreement - One Liberty Place - 1980 - Curse of Billy Penn

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There is a common misconception that the smiling Quaker found on boxes of Quaker Oats is William Penn. The Quaker Oats Company has stated that this is not true.

Related Topics:
Quaker Oats - Quaker Oats Company

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See also: Penn

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~