06/24/2026
For Pennsylvania Freemasons, June 24 isn't only St. John's Day, which honors John the Baptist, who provided inspiration for Freemasonry’s development and growth. It is also the day the first Grand Lodge was formed in 1717 in England, and the day the Masonic Temple’s cornerstone was laid in Philadelphia in 1868!
This photo was taken on that day in Philadelphia. An estimated 10,000 Masons attended the ceremony.