1. In 1861, the 45th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg. The regiment would go on to fight in many major battles of the Civil War, including Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg.

2. On July 25, 1871, the Reading Railroad Disaster occurred in Philadelphia when a train derailed on a curved trestle over the Schuylkill River. Over 20 people were killed and 100 more were injured in the tragic accident.

3. In 1909, the first airplane flight in Philadelphia took place on July 25. The Wright Brothers' exhibition team performed aerial stunts and demonstrations at Point Breeze Park, thrilling spectators with the spectacle of flight.

4. The Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh witnessed a famous escape attempt on July 25, 1965, known as "the great escape." A group of inmates dug a tunnel using spoons and other makeshift tools, but their plan was foiled when a guard discovered them and raised the alarm.

5. In 2019, July 25 was declared "Fred Rogers Day" in Pennsylvania, honoring the beloved children's television host who was born in Latrobe, PA. The day celebrated his life and legacy of kindness, compassion, and service to others.