Pennsylvania is the fifth-most populous U.S. state, stretching west–east from Lake Erie to the Delaware River and north–south from the New York border to the Mason–Dixon line. Founded in 1681 by William Penn as a haven for religious tolerance, it played a central role in the birth of the United States, hosting the Second Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitutional Convention. The state was also the scene of the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. Pennsylvania is known for its diverse geography, industrial heritage, and major cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. This 1876 illustration of the state's coat of arms was part of a series produced by engraver Henry Mitchell.

Illustration credit: Henry Mitchell; restored by Godot13