Plymouth Whitemarsh High School junior Diana Manges watched Pennsylvania lawmakers vote on the floor of Congress Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 9. She was one of about 200 students from across the state invited to a session that hadn't convened there in 39 years.

Manges was randomly selected from a pool of civic-minded student nominees to attend the America 250 Pennsylvania House of Representatives session in Philadelphia, according to the Colonial School District. She attended as a guest of state Rep. Mary Jo Daley, who represents the 148th Legislative District in Montgomery County.

The session marked only the fifth time since 1926 that the Pennsylvania House had convened at Congress Hall. The chamber moved to Harrisburg in 1812. Fox 29 reported it was the first return in 39 years.

House Speaker Joanna McClinton presided over two sessions. Lawmakers unanimously passed House Resolution 589, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and House Resolution 590, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Constitution, according to The Daily Pennsylvanian.

Beyond the legislative sessions, Manges toured Carpenter's Hall, the Museum of the American Revolution, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. She said she interacted with judges and justices from the Commonwealth, District and Supreme Courts along the way.

"I learned a lot about the history that goes behind the buildings we got the chance to visit and tour," Manges told the district. "The American Revolution Tour at the museum was also very informative and the tour guide taught us about the Declaration, the Constitution, different people such as Frederick Douglass, MLK, and how the 'I have a dream' part of his speech wasn't in his original draft."

Manges said the experience showed her how the country got to where it is and highlighted the legacy of earlier generations. America250PA, the state's official semiquincentennial commission established in 2018, organized the student invitations to bring generations together and inspire civic engagement, according to Patrick Burns, the commission's chairman.

The tour ended at the Liberty Bell, where Manges posed for a photo with Daley.