FUN FACT #DYK that former state Senator Edward P. Zemprelli ('69-'88) worked “the chains” at PSU football games? As a member of PSU’s Skull & Bones society, he was obligated to work the first-down markers for Nitty Lions home football games.

It's the beginning of budget season. And the season always begins with the book! The Senate Library's catalog include every executive budget book for the last century. library.pasen.gov/Digital_Exhibi…

Since 2013, the PA Legislature has played an annual charity softball game to unite across party lines and raise funds for hunger relief in the Commonwealth. Our current exhibit Game Changers has the history of the infamous Yinz and Youse game. ⚾️⚾️⚾️

PA is the only state with an official "beautification and conservation plant" -- the General Assembly passed the Penngift Crownvetch plant into law on this day in 1982.

It's National Fishing Day! Let's take a look back at a prior exhibit "Flowing Perspectives" highlighting our state's waterways and streams. Here's a photo of former Sen. Richard Tilghman circa 1992 enjoying himself 🐟🐟🐟

This week in 1972, Tropical Storm Agnes flooded the city of Harrisburg, forcing 1,000 people to relocate to Harrisburg High School. President Richard Nixon visited the city to assess the damage.

This week in 1972, President Richard Nixon looking out over a flooded Susquehanna River and Harrisburg city -- victims to Tropical Storm Agnes.

#DYK that former State Senator Jimmy Dillon played Division 1 college basketball? Before entering the political arena, Dillon played for the University of Notre Dame from 1997-2000. Stop by the Senate Library for more about Senators and their sport careers.

#OTD in 1731, Benjamin Franklin created the first lending library in America during his Junto Club gatherings. Books stayed at a single location with members borrowing and returning them, a necessity in the 1700's with high paper costs.

#DYK that former state Senator Joseph Woods played college baseball? While attending Princeton University in 1876, Woods was captain for the Princeton University baseball team.

#OTD in history state Senator Matthew Quay of Beaver Co. was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for voluntarily resuming duty, although out of active service, on the eve of the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, 1862.

#DYK that former state Senator Joseph Thompson was a collegiate gymnast? Not only was Thompson an accomplished college football player and coach, but he also participated in gymnastics at Geneva College.

The Senate Library's current exhibit, Game Changers, is a fun focus on the history of state Senators who also had a career in sports -- from arena football to college football coaches and cheerleaders. Stop into the Senate Library, free and open to the public every week day.

#DYK that former state Sen. John D. Hopper was an NCAA Silver Anniversary Award recipient? Each year the NCAA recognizes six former student athletes on their 25th anniversary of college graduation.

#OTD in 2002, nine miners were rescued from underground at the Quecreek Mine in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. State Senator Richard Kasunic would go on to author SR.307, which commended the heroic efforts by those involved in rescuing all nine miners.

People often ask us what is our oldest book? Our records begin in 1683, with a collection called "The Colonial Records". Printed in the 1800's, The Colonial Records include archives from before Pennsylvania was even a state.

#OTD in 1878, following decades of trying to gain its independence from Luzerne County, Lackawanna County becomes the last Pennsylvania county and the only one established after the American Civil War.

#OTD in 1777, George Washington appointed Thomas Mifflin the first Quartermaster General, in the Continental Army. Mifflin would go on to be the first Governor of Pennsylvania, 1790-1799.

#OTD in 1906, construction was completed on the current State Capitol Building, in Harrisburg.