How was your year? Same here. On the other hand, 2024 had its moments. Some were blips; some changed the way we’ll forever look at our city. Some even gave us … hope for 2025. Here, a look back at some of the very good things that happened in Philly over the past 366-or-so days.
(Got ideas for more? Please share! Email us at info@thephiladelphiacitizen.org.)
January:
Philadelphia welcomes its 100th mayor to office — the first-ever woman in city history. To the girls of Philadelphia, Cherelle Parker’s representation matters.
Long overdue, the city’s first Black-owned brewery, Two Locals Brewing Company makes its debut. Brothers and co-owners Richard and Mengistu Koilor preside over University City’s favorite new taphouse.
Meanwhile, at The Philadelphia Citizen … We host our very first Citizen of the Year Awards, honoring local leaders in health research, activism, neighborhood pride, social justice, education and more. (Our next one is February 25. Don’t miss it!)
February:
Temple University expands its Temple Promise to offer free tuition to all new Philly students whose families earn less than $65,000 annually. (In the fall, Penn does the same for students nationwide with a household income of under $200,000.)
Philly makes a monumental leap in a highly respected ranking of top-performing U.S. economies done annually by think tank The Milken Institute. Philly jumps from #182 up to #52 among metro areas, our best ranking since 2012.
March:
Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez finishes Spring Training undefeated before opening the regular season 9-0. The lovable left-hander becomes a first-time All-Star, reminding us that hard work and dedication can pay off, even if a World Series isn’t in the cards this time.
April:
Jalen Hurts donates $200,000 to pay for 300 air conditioning units for Philadelphia public schools — impacting 5,500 students. (This fall, the Birds QB’s foundation pledges $5,000 per touchdown to pay for more A/C.)
Mommy, a tortoise at the Philadelphia Zoo, turns 99 years old just weeks after laying three clutches of eggs. Though the eggs will not hatch, it’s a promising sign for breeding — and regardless, shows that Mommy’s still got it!
May:
Actress and Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson speaks at Temple’s 137th commencement ceremony. “My Owls have always been with me and I hope you keep your Owls with you,” she tells the crowd.
More than 1,000 Philly students completed 86 service projects as part of the Philly Service Awards. They build community libraries, spend time with seniors, work to boost recycling rates — and accept congratulations for their accomplishments in a ceremony at City Hall.
Meanwhile, at The Philadelphia Citizen … We honor five Integrity Icons, city workers who go above and beyond every day to make our city a better city.
June:
Penn professor Lia Howard travels across Pennsylvania with seven student researchers over summer break to facilitate conversation across political divides as part of Penn’s Political Empathy Lab. Instead of trying to change people’s beliefs, they listen — and find common ground.
With UArts students feeling hopeless following the abrupt closure of the university, peer institutions Moore College of Arts & Design, Drexel University and Temple University decide to honor these students’ scholarships and offer help in the form of fast-track enrollment.
July:
Jambi, a Sumatran Orangutan, is born at the Philadelphia Zoo. There are only about 14,000 Sumatran Orangutans left in the wild, and Jambi’s birth — the first in 15 years at the zoo — is a step toward preserving the species.
Meanwhile, at The Philadelphia Citizen … We join up with Rad Girls founder Leah Kauffman to revive the tradition of honoring women in Philadelphia who are making big things happen (and a few guys who are behind them). The midsummer event sells out.
August:
Philly literary arts nonprofit Blue Stoop partners with author Jennifer Weiner to launch a fellowship supporting women writers. The program offers funding, mentorship and time to write to its participants.
Girard College alum Kahleah Copper wins a gold medal in basketball, after sinking two free throws in the final seconds to lead Team USA over France in the Paris Olympics.
Governor Josh Shapiro delivers a rousing speech at the Liacouras Center during a rally for the Democratic presidential ticket. Once again, the governor — whose approval rating is high among voters of both parties — shows us that the Commonwealth is in good hands.
September:
Center City District tests out Open Streets, prohibiting vehicles on Walnut Street from 15th to 19th Street (and other blocks around there) on Sundays. The neighborhood becomes a pedestrian haven. Works so well, they do it again in December — and plan to repeat in 2025.
Thousands of Philadelphians turn out in the rain to demonstrate against the 76ers’ plan to build an arena in Market East. This group is a diverse, peaceful, passionate mix of different backgrounds and ages, neighborhoods and interests — a demonstration of how deeply Philadelphians care about their city and cultural heritage.
October:
“The Portal” art installation goes live, instantaneously connecting Philly with people in three cities around the world: Dublin, Ireland; Vilnius, Lithuania; and Lublin, Poland. Also, despite predictions to the contrary (and unlike New Yorkers), Philadelphians behave so well, the darn thing stays open …
Dasha Navalnaya, the daughter of the late Alexei Navalny — a Russian opposition leader whose death is widely considered to have been a political hit by the Putin regime — works as a Philadelphia field organizer for Kamala Harris in the leadup to the election. It’s a reminder that democracy can be fragile and yet it’s always worth fighting for.
November:
After 27 years of incarceration — and just about as many years of activism on his part and on his behalf — Tyree Wallace, a Philadelphian convicted of murder at age 19 with no physical evidence — comes home from prison.
New Eagle Saquon Barkley jumps backwards over a Jacksonville Jaguar; instantly makes Philadelphia sports history. (Birds win, 28-23.)
Philadelphia pulls off a presidential election with zero hiccups — and counts votes, including absentee / mail-in ballots — in record time.
December:
At long last, the mayor of Philadelphia signs legislation to rename Taney Street, named for a notorious racist from Maryland, after early civil rights activist Caroline Le Count, “Philadelphia’s Rosa Parks.”
Bookstore owner and activist Jeannine Cook takes nine Philadelphia high school students on an epic trip to Paris — and plans to do it again next year.
The debut episode of Kylie Kelce’s Not Gonna Lie dethrones The Joe Rogan Experience as the country’s number one podcast.
Despite a year-end spike, Philadelphia’s 2024 homicide rate is down 40 percent from 2023.
Not to be outdone by the currently dominant Kelce, Jason, Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson release their third and final Philly Specials Christmas album — and use proceeds to buy every single public school kid in Philly a bunch of fantastic gifts, some of which they distribute themselves while singing Jingle Bells.
