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The City of Philadelphia’s name roughly translates to “brotherly love” from Greek, giving way to its long-standing motto. Thanks to the efforts of pioneering broadcaster and host of Oldschool 100.3’s Dyana Williams, Philly is now known as “The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.”

The roots of the expanded motto are hard to trace, with some historians saying that the added phrasing began in the late 1800s. However, it never caught fire among the general public, for whatever reason. Many individuals, however, have worked the added motto into their speech and have tried ardently to make it official.

Williams spearheaded the most recent effort to have the motto expanded, this after using it for the past three decades on air. Williams reached out to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter in her campaign for the motto change, who also uses the expanded version at city functions. Williams’ hard work certainly paid off, as Nutter announced the official switch of the motto on her “Soulful Sundays” radio program.

Nutter also said that an official proclamation from the city will be forthcoming.

Philadelphia has also been referred to as the “Black capital of anti-slavery” as it was a prime destination for escaped and freed slaves where abolitionists welcomed them openly.

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