America’s First Zoo--the Philadelphia Zoo--turned 150 on March 21, 2009!
The year was 1859, a truly historic year.
- Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species
- Charles Dickens published A Tale of Two Cities
- The American oil industry was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, when the first oil well was drilled
- London’s Big Ben rang for the first time
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania signed the charter establishing the Zoological Society of Philadelphia--the very first of its kind in this country
To celebrate the Sesquicentennial, the Zoo has launched a year-long celebration. For a look back,
click here.
Be part of the fun all year long by celebrating our animals on their birthdays!
Did you know that, throughout the Zoo, an animal celebrates a birthday almost daily?
It's true! Scroll our
animal birthday list--you might even find you share a birthday with your favorite animal!
And if you'd like to bring an gift in celebration of any of these birthdays--or even "just because"--here's a list of great
animal birthday gift ideas.
Thanks to our generous sponsors for their support of this important year!
The Graham Company
Independence Blue Cross
Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, philly.com
Philadelphia Tribune
PNC
SEI
Select Event Rentals
Southern Wine and Spirits of Pennsylvania
Steen Outdoor Advertising
Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company