Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Origin of Pennsylvania
Origin of Pennsylvania
"Commonwealth" of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania shares the designation "Commonwealth" with Virginia, Kentucky and
Massachusetts. The word is of English derivation and refers to the common "weal"
(well-being) of the public. In 1776, the state's first constitution referred to Pennsylvania
as both "State" and "Commonwealth" (either term can be used correctly today). In
Pennsylvania, all legal processes are carried out in the name of the Commonwealth.