Miracle on the Delaware (1953)

what comprises this Greater Philadelphia area while the Delaware River is a boundary only on the maps the Philadelphia city limits are Mere Road markers pointing the way to A Whole New World first across the Delaware bridge to our equally industrious equally prosperous neighbor Camden New Jersey the Destinies of our two cities are linked together by a spirit a common good that no mere River can divide 2 years ago this was farmland and Forest levit town now one of the 10 largest cities in Pennsylvania for workers anywhere else in the world this would be a miracle in itself Trenton New Jersey the state capital where government is big business but far from the only one like most cities in this wondrous area Trenton is proud of its past but prouder yet of its future Wilmington Delaware a half-hour ride from Philadelphia but closer than that in kinship and spirit Bethlehem Pennsylvania where every Christmas a huge star glows from a Hilltop where every other night in the year the sky is lit by the hungry furnaces of little steel coal from Pennsylvania mines to feed to monsters that never grow cold and then Steel in Myriad forms for many purposes steel the backbone and shield of our way of life reading Easton Allentown Chester Pottsville all these people and many thousands more are neighbors of the infant who sleeps in Philadelphia and it's the dream of every little boy to shop at allentown's Brothers where a single toy can cost [Music] $5,000 winkin and blinken are two little eyes and Nod is a little head and the Wooden Shoe that sailed the skies is a Wei one's trundle bed the Delaware River winding 40 Mi to the sea from the port of Philadelphia the world's largest freshwater Port here a cargo ship arrives or departs every 30 minutes of every day or night within a 100 mile radius of this port live 21 million people a greater population density than any other comparable area this port with its magnificent facilities has paid the largest single part in bringing our Miracle to pass for this is the magnet a safe harbor free from storms and free from stripe with less manour lost because of Labor disputes than any other port in the country since the end of World War II the world's most ambitious program of Port Improvement never has stopped new facilities for docking loading storage plans for dredging the Delaware to keep it safe for any ship regardless of size from this port Goods can be shipped overnight to more than 50 million people one3 of the nation's population unlike many other large ports this is no hot bed of violence and Corruption the tradition here is one of peaceful mediation of steady employment we've kept our Waterfront clean only for the racketeers is there very little [Music] work from the rich truck Farms of New Jersey food for the best fed nation in the world this unceasing activity on Dock Street is a constant reminder to us that the Waters of the Delaware surging down to the Sea this is our very life [Music] blood [Music] and so sleep on the future looks secure and material Goods aren't all we have to offer you this city is rich in many ways Fairmount Park the largest city-owned park and again we have to say it anywhere in the world Independence Hall where you were born free and guaranteed a free press new newspapers both great and small so you'll come to learn not only the geography of your city but its essential character as well in the shadow of the new the Heritage and dignity of the old you're crying well you may have your reasons but think of all the fun that lies ahead the theater like you one of Philadelphia's growing children there for example the wall up theater the nation's oldest but playing the latest [Music] hits someday you may play football at Franklin Field or at least rooot them on from the stands for in this town there's always something to help you stop crying to stand up and cheer instead Connie MAAC stadium name for a man whose name will never be forg forgotten in Philadelphia or the Baseball Hall of [Music] Fame Sunday morning a time of repose if not of rest and we're on our way to give our thanks for the many many blessings we enjoy a quiet [Music] Sunday [Music] and a happy New Year the MERS parade the grandfather of all spectacles costumes that have been a year in the making costing many thousands of dollars a [Music] piece [Music] wild weird but above all wonderful the Mummers are on [Music] Parade it's been a busy day so many things to do so get your sleep now while you still have time the years to come will be a tireless challenge this miracle on the Delaware has been wrought in a comparatively few years and wptz one of America's television Pioneers has seen this miracle come to pass as we believe contributed to its creation for things alone will not make a city great nor give a people a feeling of loyalty and confidence a sense of belonging to a healthy Community this is accomplished largely by ideas flashing in the night of complacency and ignorance since 1932 wptz has been sharing the lives of the people it serves helping them find a better way of life this proud tradition of service and responsibility has grown through the years as indeed our city has grown with its sense of Pride and accomplishment a sign that flashes in the dark as a medium of communication this is the role we play [Music] a moment of thought in a busy day the sun is warm and life is good you have seen your city and its many facets with a little Envy and a lot of Pride once again [Music] welcome [Music] [Applause] [Music] h