King Charles II of England gave Pennsylvania to Quaker William Penn in repayment for a loan that Penn's father had made to the king.  The King wanted to get rid of a troublesome group of Quakers who were led to the New World by Penn. Pennyslvania Colony prospered and was at the center of the American Revolution.  Philadelphia hosted the First and Second Continental Congresses.  The Declaration of Independence was crafted in Philadelphia, and the Liberty Bell rang out the news of independence declared.