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The 52 Weeks of Firsts Podcast

Society EN ↓ 27 episodes

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, The 52 Weeks of Firsts Podcast uncovers the “firsts” that helped shape the nation—each one rooted in Philadelphia’s remarkable history. Each week, our host sits down with a special guest to explore one groundbreaking first, from the first professional basketball league and the nation’s first zoo, to the first public showing of a motion picture and beyond. Short, lively, and packed with fascinating stories, every episode connects these historic milestones to the present, showing how Philadelphia’s innovations continue to shape our everyday lives.

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Episodes

First Folk Parade 13.01.2026 13:13

Marisa Magnatta unpacks how a mashup of immigrant traditions fused in South Philadelphia to create America’s first folk parade. With roots stretching back to 1600s Swedish revelry, English mummers plays, German belsnickling, and centuries of neighborhood pageantry, this tradition evolved into the first official Mummers Day Parade in 1901. With WMMR’s Jackie BamBam, Marisa explores how this rowdy r...

First Balloon Flight In America 05.01.2026 11:55

Marisa Magnatta digs into the wild story of America’s first balloon flight, featuring a French aeronaut, a hydrogen-filled silk balloon, a prison yard launch, and the first-ever airmail delivery. Joined by local weather mogul Nor'easter Nick (Nick Pittman), she explores what made this moment possible, what the weather likely looked like that day, and how ballooning went on to shape both aviation a...