The 2023 Franklin Birthday Celebration took place on
Friday, January 20, 2023 • 9:00 - 11:00 AM ET.

The theme was:

The Health of the Oceans

The morning kicked off with an introduction by Charlotte Hudson, Director of the Lenfest Ocean Program, Pew Charitable Trusts. Speakers include Dr Helen Rozwadowski, Professor of History and founder of the Maritime Studies program at the University of Connecticut, and Dr Irina Marinov, Associate Professor, Earth and Environmental Science Dept. at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr Rozwadowski talked about Franklin's Ocean, and Dr Marinov will explain Why the Oceans Matter for Climate.

Charlotte Hudson moderated a discussion with the two speakers.

The 2023 Ben Franklin Founders Award was given to Dr. Sylvia Earle, after which Dr. Earle talked on "Caring for the Ocean as if Your Life Depends in them, Because it Does." Following the event, there was a procession to Ben Franklin's grave in Christ Church Burial Ground.

Location:
American Philosophical Society: Benjamin Franklin Hall
427 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106

Dr. Sylvia Earle

Charlotte Hudson

Irina Marinov

Helen Rozwadowski