The Benjamin Franklin Symposium was created in the 1975-1976 Regular Session with House Resolution 250. The first symposium was held January 17-19, 1977. To quote a 1977 editorial release for KDKA Radio 1020: "This year Pennsylvania's lawmakers will attempt to get a broader perspective on some of the long-range problems facing the state before they get down to their immediate nuts and bolts business. All 253 members of the legislature have been invited to participate in a three-day symposium which begins Monday at the Harrisburg Area Community College. During the Session experts from various fields will try to give the lawmakers a better understanding of the major problems which lie ahead in the next two decades."