Those watching the Eagles’ winning matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday may have caught a glimpse of something absolutely “thrillifying.”
As the NBC Sunday Night Football broadcast headed to a commercial break, hosts pointed out a flyover view of Philadelphia’s iconic Boathouse Row. Only this time, the boathouses along the Schuylkill were lit up in pink and green.
Announcers said the special color treatment was brought to viewers by Wicked: For Good, the anticipated musical-to-film finale starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande (plus West Philly’s own Colman Domingo as the Cowardly Lion).
On social media, viewers were surprised and delighted by the marketing play.
“What do you mean ‘Wicked: For Good’ sponsored by Boathouse Row?” one X user wrote. “Boathouse Row being lit up in Wicked colors is HUGE for my brand,” said another.
It marks the latest effort in the film’s megamarketing campaign, which has ranged from Wicked dolls, to deodorant, to laundry detergent, to make up kits, to Swiffers, to cereal, and everything in between. Truly, no stone has been left un-greenified. And now that approach appears to extend to extremely hyperlocal stops, like Boathouse Row.
It also appears to be Boathouse Row’s first foray into paid movie promotions.
So how did this all pan out? And does it mean Wicked has paid the Fairmount Park Conservatory and Boathouse Row a boatload of sponsorship dollars?
Here’s what we know.
How do the Boathouse Row lights work?
The Boathouse Row lights debuted in 1979 and quickly became a beloved feature along the stretch of 19th-century historic homes. The strip is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2005, the homes transitioned to LED lights, according to the Fairmount Park Conservancy, which manages Boathouse Row. In 2023, the homes temporarily went dark as part of a $2 million refurbishing project. They were re-lit in March 2024.
According to the conservancy’s website, 6,400 individual LED lights are installed along 10 of the historic boathouses. The light configurations, which were installed by Philly-based firm The Lighting Practice can make 16 million color combinations.
Can anyone make a Boathouse Row light change request?
Surprisingly, yes.
After the homes’ lighting upgrades, Boathouse Row announced that seemingly anyone could become a “Boathouse Row Lighting Partner,” and make a special request in exchange for payment to the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
Of course, the conservancy gets first right of refusal, and there are some exceptions. According to its website, political events and observances, campaigns that conflict with City of Philadelphia laws, religious figures or organizations, and campaigns or events deemed “inappropriate” will not be considered.
You can also check on Boathouse Row’s website to see what color the lights are each day.
How much does a special lighting request cost?
It depends on the level of razzle-dazzle and its duration.
According to Boathouse Row’s website, prices range from $750 to $2,500 per day, depending on the display’s complexity. Fees go directly to the Boathouse Row’s ongoing maintenance. The limit for a display is one week.
How much did Wicked pay Boathouse Row to go green and pink?
It’s unclear exactly how much the Wicked display costs. The lighting scheme aired during Sunday’s broadcast. In reality, that B-roll was filmed in advance on Friday evening, a spokesperson with the Fairmount Park Conservancy said. It lasted about 20 minutes.
The conservancy declined to disclose the exact amount NBC paid. Wicked is a Universal film, which is under the NBC and Comcast umbrella. NBC also broadcasts Sunday Night Football.
Have other movies or marketing campaigns worked with Boathouse Row before?
It looks like this is the first movie campaign.
“We don’t think it’s ever been done before,” conservancy spokesperson Cari Feiler Bender said.
But there are no other mentions of entertainment-related tributes. (This week’s Wicked tribute did not make the row’s Instagram feed, which posts light color updates.)
Boathouse Row has traditionally lit up in color schemes to celebrate local teams or to observe special causes like breast cancer, Alzheimer’s awareness, and Pride months.
The spokesperson added that Boathouse Row would welcome future marketing partnerships to “help keep the lights on.”
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
Hip Hop, the Sixers’ retired mascot, made his triumphant return during a game last week and was honored at halftime. What animal/character is the mascot supposed to be?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Bill Roth, who played Sixers former mascot Hip Hop — a rabbit — was honored during halftime of Saturday's game against the Toronto Raptors.
Question 2 of 10
Seaforest Bakery in Graduate Hospital is a new spot for baked goods and coffee that pays homage to this type of cuisine:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The bakery menu features riffs on classic Korean dishes, like gochujang scallion buns and doenjang caramel rolls. Seaforest is the English translation of owner Suerim Lee’s first name.
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There are two competing campaigns to rebuild and restore the Old City bar where the Marines were historically established 250 years ago. What was the bar called?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The Marines, famously, were established at the Tun Tavern in 1775, a brewery and watering hole that once sat, roughly, where the southbound lanes of I-95 are now.
Question 4 of 10
This Hall of Fame quarterback recently said he’s on the Eagles’ side when it comes to the Tush Push:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Peyton Manning made the Tush Push the subject of a Peyton's Places episode on ESPN, defending the controversial play's existence. "I'm on the Eagles’ side," he said.
Question 5 of 10
Sasha Suda, the recently ousted director and CEO of this institution, recently sued her former employer for wrongful termination:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Suda is suing the Philadelphia Art Museum. Her suit says there was no "valid basis" for her dismissal, and seeks two years' worth of compensation and other damages.
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Question 6 of 10
James Vaughen, a 26-year-old Curtis grad, has won the Philadelphia Orchestra’s principal trumpeter spot. How many times had he previously auditioned for the gig without success?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The hunt for a permanent principal trumpeter has been going, off and on, for several years. Vaughen, in fact, had auditioned for the position three times before without success. It was the fourth time that was the charm, said the 2023 Curtis grad.
Question 7 of 10
Bucks County native Sabrina Carpenter is up for six Grammy awards this year, including Song of the Year for this track:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Carpenter is competing for song and record of the year, pop solo performance and best video for “Manchild,” as well as pop vocal album for Man’s Best Friend. Earlier this year, she won Grammys for her breakout album Short n’ Sweet and hit “Espresso.”
Question 8 of 10
The vacant building on East Passyunk Avenue that most recently housed Bing Bing Dim Sum will become the home to this new restaurant:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Tako Taco, an amalgam of Japanese (tako is octopus) and Mexican cuisines, is one of two new projects in the works by chefs Biff Gottehrer and Kenjiro Omori — from Main Line destinations Refectory, the Ripplewood, and Izzy’s.
Question 9 of 10
The Philadelphia-based Freeman’s auction house will auction off this prized item owned by Marquis de Lafayette:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Showered with gifts on both sides of the Atlantic, the hero of Yorktown was awarded a timekeeper for the ages by the people of France. Embossed with images of Greek mythical figures Orpheus and Eurydice, the 18-karat tricolor gold pocket watch was engraved with Lafayette’s full name and image. A hidden image inside depicted Lafayette’s return to France from America. Now it’s up for sale.
Question 10 of 10
A new law going into effect next year will require Philadelphia shoppers to pay this much per paper bag:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Philadelphia shoppers will soon have to pay 10 cents per paper bag after Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Thursday allowed a bill imposing the fee to become law without her signature. The law is expected to go into effect in January.
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Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
A series of train fires has prompted SEPTA to inspect its trains. The majority of its fleet is made up of this model train:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
SEPTA is now rushing to inspect 225 Silverliner IVs and provide its findings on the root cause of the problem by the end of the month. The trains, which are outdated in design and decades of use, haven’t been replaced because of a lack of funding. Now they’re catching fire more often.
Question 2 of 10
East Passyunk’s Singing Fountain has been decorated by the local knitting collective for Halloween. With her new costume, what is the mermaid sculpture dressed as?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The mermaid at the top of the fixture now wears a black and orange witch’s hat and matching cape. The surrounding cherubs also have crocheted outfits of their own: One is a monarch butterfly, another is a bat, and the third is a fairy. Philadelphia Drunken Knitwits is the group behind the new look.
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A new dog park opens in Manayunk soon, following the closure of Bark Social last year. What is it called?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Fetch Park, an Atlanta-based company where dogs run leash-free and their humans drink concern-free, has announced it will open on Nov. 6 at the site of the former Bark Social next to the United Artists movie theater at 3720 Main St. It’s the first location for the chain outside its home base in Georgia.
Question 4 of 10
Stateside Brands, the local vodka distiller responsible for Surfside hard iced teas and lemonades, is suing Anheuser-Busch InBev. Stateside alleges that Anheuser-Busch’s own canned hard teas look “strikingly similar” to Surfside's. What is the competing beverage called?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The suit centers on the packaging of Surfside and Skimmers, which debuted in April. Both cans use the same central design elements, the lawsuit alleges, which could dupe consumers into believing that Skimmers is associated with Stateside. Stateside is seeking a permanent injunction that would force Anheuser-Busch to change Skimmers’ packaging. It is also suing for unspecified damages, including “any and all profits” that Anheuser-Busch has earned from selling cans of Skimmers.
Question 5 of 10
At Vare Rec Center, a team of young gymnasts in South Philly trains on heart and hustle, competing against private clubs with deeper pockets. Now, they’re crowdfunding to raise money for this item for competition:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Vare Gymnastics aimed to raise at least $6,000 through a GoFundMe for new jackets and gym bags for this year’s competition season. Following a report by The Inquirer, they secured nearly $50,000 in donations.
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Question 6 of 10
ESPN is bringing back Funday Football during the Eagles’ Week 14 game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football, where all the players will be transformed into popular characters in an alternate broadcast designed for kids. Which movie/show will this edition be based on?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
This time around, the kids' broadcast will be based on Monsters, Inc. films starring Mike, Sulley, and the rest of the Pixar film crew.
Question 7 of 10
The most popular cat name in Philadelphia is tied with 54 cats each registered under the names Shadow and:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Indeed, 54 cats are named Luna and 54 more are named Shadow across Philadelphia, according to public data. It makes those two names tied for the most popular in the city. The next most popular name is Simba, with 38 cats holding that name.
Question 8 of 10
Pennsylvania ranks among the worst states for jobs according to a new report by WalletHub that placed it in the No. 44 slot of all 50 states. Which state did even worse?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
North Carolina, Oregon, Alaska, Kentucky, Louisiana, and West Virginia are the only states that received worse marks than Pennsylvania. The report considered employee protections such as state-mandated paid sick leave, equal pay, and protections for pregnant or breastfeeding people.
Question 9 of 10
K-9 Ron, a 3-year-old dog who was once scheduled to be euthanized, was officially sworn in Tuesday as a detection dog for the Delran Township Police Department. What breed is Ron?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Ron, predominantly black-haired with a streak of white down the center of his face and across his chest, is a pit bull. He was found abandoned in an apartment in Minneapolis with two other dogs in 2023. A shelter gave the trio Harry Potter-themed names — Ron, Harry, and Hermione.
Question 10 of 10
Rachel Millner, a Bucks County psychologist and advocate for fat liberation, has launched a campaign to become the first plus-sized cycling instructor for this company:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Seems like you’ve been skimming more than reading there, buddy. There’s always next week.
You’ve read some articles (or made some educated guesses) but we wouldn’t come to you first for our local news recaps. Better luck next week!
Do you work here? You’re a local news stan with the latest updates on Philly happenings. Your friends definitely ask you for summaries on what’s going on and it shows.
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
The jewel heist at the Louvre this week caused a stir, marking one of the highest-profile museum thefts in living memory. But Philly’s seen its own fair share of heists over the years. In 2017, a man attending a party at the Franklin Institute broke this body part off a life-size Chinese terracotta warrior statue.
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
While attending an after-hours ugly sweater party at the Franklin Institute, Michael Rohana broke the thumb off the warrior statue. He described the incident as a “drunken mistake” and returned the thumb, which he had taken home. Still, it caused international turmoil, with Chinese officials accusing the Franklin Institute of carelessness with the artifact. Rohana was eventually sentenced to five years’ probation, a $5,000 fine, and community service.
Question 2 of 10
In an interview on Switch the Play (with Roger Bennett of Men in Blazers), Joel Embiid said this sport was his first love:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
A young Embiid had dreams of being a footballer (as in soccer, not the NFL) until the 7-footer grew too tall for that to be in the cards. Even though he doesn’t play anymore, he’s still a passionate fan of Real Madrid and the Cameroonian national team.
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Which supermarket is opening at the former Walgreens in South Philadelphia at Broad and Snyder Streets in early 2026?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
New York-based Met Fresh is on track to open its first Philly location. The 13,000-square-foot supermarket will include a pharmacy, a fresh-cut produce department, and a deli counter. It is also applying for a license to sell beer and wine.
Question 4 of 10
In its review of HBO mini-series Task, the New York Times describes Delaware County as a ___ stretch of rural America.
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
In the opinion piece, television journalist Alan Sepinwall, a New Jersey native who went to Penn, says show creator Brad Ingelsby — who grew up in Chester County — “transports us to a downtrodden stretch of rural America where a guy like Robbie has to resort to stealing from drug dealers in order to make ends meet.” But statistically, there’s really no argument to support that Delco is rural.
Question 5 of 10
Prime Video’s three-part series on this Philly-tied athlete premiered at the Philadelphia Film Festival this week:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Prime Video’s Allen Iv3rsonfollows the journey of 11-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson from Newport News, Va., to his career in the NBA, covering his life both on and off the court.
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Question 6 of 10
The popular phrase among Gen Z and chronically online crowds, “six-seven” (or “6-7”), has ties to Philly. Which local rapper kicked off the trend through lyrics in their song?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Skrilla, 27, has more than 130 million streams across platforms and continues to rise in popularity. The Kensington-based artist’s song “Doot Doot (6 7)” features the first reference to “6-7.”
Question 7 of 10
This popular musician made an appearance in the crowds at Philadelphia’s installment of the “No Kings” rally against President Donald Trump and his administration. Who was it?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Former Talking Heads singer David Byrne, amid three solo shows at the Met Philadelphia, told a fan at the "No Kings" march that “he wanted to be here for this.”
Question 8 of 10
Barry Leonard, 87, formerly of Philadelphia, known for pioneering legal change to allow unisex hair salons, died this month at his home in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Leonard was best known as this term:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
In the late 1960s, Mr. Leonard gave local advertising whiz Elliott Curson a haircut, and Curson, delighted with the result, suggested rebranding Mr. Leonard as “a crimper,” British slang for hairdresser. What followed was a hugely successful ad campaign and a friendship that lasted more than 50 years.
Question 9 of 10
As the United States women's national soccer team took on Portugal at Subaru Park this week, it’s worth noting that this USWNT player is an “honorary Philadelphian” due to her local ties — and Inquirer reporter sister.
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Sam Coffey, 26, is a product of Penn State and now one of the U.S. team’s certifiable stars: an Olympic gold medalist, defensive midfield stalwart, and even a captain for a few recent games. She’s also the sister of Inquirer sports writer Alex Coffey.
Question 10 of 10
What is the title of Josh Shapiro’s upcoming memoir?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
On Tuesday, Harper — an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing — announced the release of Shapiro’s forthcoming memoir, Where We Keep the Light: Stories From a Life of Service, which will hit shelves on Jan. 27, 2026. The book will detail Shapiro’s career and personal life, including when a man firebombed the governor’s mansion while Shapiro and his family slept inside and his place on the short list for Kamala Harris’ vice president.
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Seems like you’ve been skimming more than reading there, buddy. There’s always next week.
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“Is it funny?” “Am I just old?” “What does it actually mean?”
Those are common questions you’ll come across while searching for “six-seven” (or “6-7”), a phrase that has eclipsed internet obscurity and made its way into everyday speech, filling timelines, classrooms, and group chats in a way only the chronically online could understand.
The numbers, said out loud together, are really just that. It’s not code, or sexual innuendo. In reality, it’s just a lyric lifted from a song by Kensington-based rapper Skrilla.
The 27-year-old rapper, whose legal name is Jemille Edwards, has over 130 million streams across platforms and continues to rise in popularity.
In 2023, he signed with Priority Records — a Los Angeles-based label significant within the rap scene that worked with N.W.A and Ice Cube. Last year, his album Zombie Love Kensington Paradise earned praise in the industry.
The 19-track album, which he rereleased this year as a deluxe version with eight additional songs, underlines Edwards’ “affinity for the neighborhood while displaying his vocal flexibility and off-kilter delivery,” Pitchfork said in its mostly positive review, calling him likely “on the road to rap stardom.”
Philly rapper Tierra Whack has repeatedly shouted out Skrilla’s work while North Philly’s Lil Uzi Vert has collaborated with him.
In August, Edwards was arrested by Philadelphia Police during a music video shoot where he used a toy gun filled with gel pellets to shoot at an officer. He was charged with assaulting a police officer and related offenses.
One particular single by Skrilla has raised the rapper’s internet prominence.
Where did ‘six-seven’ come from?
Skrilla raps the lyric “six-seven” in his song “Doot Doot (6 7),” a track from the deluxe version of Zombie Love Kensington Paradise about life on the streets, fast cars, money, violence, and loss.
It’s a high-energy track that nods to Skrilla’s drill-rap style. The song’s chorus includes the lines, “6-7, I just bipped right on the highway,” and “pull up, doot-doot.”
What does ‘six-seven’ mean?
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Laekin Vakalahi smiles while taking the field during the first day of Eagles Training Camp at the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 in Philadelphia.
Well, it’s ambiguous. And Skrilla has said in interviews that he kind of likes it that way.
Meme lovers and unofficial lyric decoders have theories. Many think it refers to 67th Street in Philly, where Skrilla grew up (that’s what the Washington Post went with).
Owen Carry with Know Your Meme believes the Philadelphia ties are “largely speculative.”
Others think that it’s a nod to 67th Street in Chicago, where he has family. Taylor Jones, a linguistics and African American English expert, suggested it might be a nod to police radio code, where 10-67 is used to notify of a death. A contributor on Genius, a site dedicated to annotating song lyrics, theorized it was a reference to burial plots, six feet under and seven feet apart.
“Everybody else got their own different meaning,” Skrilla told Complex recently. “But for me, it’s just ‘negative to positive.’”
The most important part here is that it doesn’t really matter.
“Six-seven” has taken on a life of its own in recent months due to the pedestal it’s been placed on across TikTok and other social media platforms.
Why is ‘six-seven’ so popular?
The meme’s origins date back to late last year when Skrilla unofficially released “Doot Doot (6 7)” via Instagram as a leftover track from Zombie Love Kensington Paradise. It quickly started making the rounds on TikTok.
Content creators were using the line from the chorus in different, playful, extremely unserious ways: edits of a 6-foot-7 basketball player, lip dub memes, and scenarios that force someone to say the two numbers together. The creators are often nonsensical and copy Skrilla’s vocal pattern, a singsong “six-seven,” usually coupled with an open-palmed hand gesture.
Experts at Know Your Meme, who have been tracking the phenomenon since its inception, say videos surrounding “six-seven” have been viewed millions upon millions of times.
“The trend started with a series of bait-and-switch LaMelo Ball (of the Charlotte Hornets) edits late last year, which would intro with a random clip that included someone saying, ‘six-seven,’ and then switch to a Ball highlight reel,” said Carry, associate editor at Know Your Meme. “Skrilla’s ‘6-7′ lyric was used to queue the transition (Ball is 6 feet, 7 inches, which is relevant to why he was chosen).”
In turn, Carry said, young boys especially have been saying the numbers on camera in hopes of becoming the next NBA TikTok edit star.
“Six is a perfect number, and seven is a prime number, but only a glutton for punishment would put them together in front of a bunch of 13-year-olds,” the Wall Street Journal wrote in a piece about how the meme is wreaking havoc across campuses.
It’s safe to say the phrase has officially made its way into the mainstream.
“South Park” continued a buzzy season with its latest episode, “Twisted Christian,” on Oct. 15.
“Six-seven” was mentioned in a recent South Park episode where the kids can’t stop using the phrase, leading to an assembly about the Antichrist and satanic numerology.
Pro wrestler Je’Von Evans wore a “67″ jersey during his walk-in entrance last week, Shaq has given the trend his blessing (though he admits he doesn’t totally get it), and Skrilla claims the song will be included in the Grand Theft Auto VI soundtrack, though that hasn’t been made official yet.
Skrilla also performed the track in Philly last month when millennial icon Natasha Bedingfield, who was performing at the Theatre of Living Arts, pulled him on stage for a guest appearance. Bedingfield told Complex she’s a fan of the rapper and would like to get on a remix of “Doot Doot (6 7).”
Skrilla will be back in town at the Fillmore on Nov. 30.
What has Skrilla said about it?
In an interview this week with the Washington Post, he suggested the song referred to 67th Street in Philly, a block where a lot of his friends lived. It’s worth noting there isn’t a 67th Street in Kensington.
“We just rode by a truck that had ‘6-7’ written on it in dust, in Arizona, all the way out here,” the rapper said, speaking from a gas station on the way to Los Angeles.
The Inquirer couldn’t reach Skrilla for additional comment.
Will ‘six-seven’ still be cool by the time I start saying it?
Probably not.
With its place solidified in the mainstream — being analyzed by linguistic experts, printed on merch, and reported on by multiple newspapers (including this one), it’s safe to say the trend is likely on its way out the door.
But at least, for a fleeting moment, you can say you know what it means — which is nothing.
The world’s most-visited museum was closed Monday following a professional heist that resulted in the theft of priceless jewels. Within minutes, thieves entered and exited the Louvre on Sunday, taking eight treasures.
The result? One of the highest-profile museum thefts in living memory amid a climate where museum staffs — worldwide, not just at the Louvre — are complaining about crowding, thin staffing, high turnover, and strained security.
Here’s what we know so far.
How did the Louvre heist happen?
Within minutes, thieves rode up a basket lift outside the Louvre’s facade, forced open a window, smashed display cases, and fled with priceless Napoleonic jewels, officials said.
The heist took place on Sunday, only 30 minutes after opening, with visitors already inside.
The theft took four minutes inside the building and less than eight in total, according to French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who called it a “professional” operation.
“They went straight to the display windows,” Dati said. “They knew exactly what they wanted. They were very efficient.”
Sunday’s theft focused on the gilded Apollo Gallery, where the crown jewels are displayed. Alarms brought Louvre agents to the room, forcing the intruders to bolt on motorbikes, but the robbery was already over.
It’s unclear how many people took part in the theft and whether they had inside assistance. French media reported there were four perpetrators, including two dressed as construction workers. Authorities have not commented on the specifics.
What was taken from the Louvre?
Eight pieces of “priceless” jewels were stolen from the Louvre in Paris. Here is what they were.
Eight objects were taken, according to officials:
A sapphire diadem, necklace, and single earring from a matching set linked to 19th-century French queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense.
An emerald necklace and earrings from the matching set of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife.
A reliquary brooch.
Empress Eugénie’s diadem and her large corsage-bow brooch, a prized 19th-century imperial ensemble.
A ninth object, the emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugénie, was also taken but apparently dropped by the thieves. The crown, with more than 1,300 diamonds, was damaged but recovered outside the museum.
All of the items are considered priceless, though officials have not disclosed an overall estimate.
What will happen to the stolen jewels?
The Louvre has been closed since the robbery on Sunday morning for the investigation.
Experts say the initial hours after a heist are critical before the scent grows colder and thieves have more time to dispose of the jewels.
The big concern is that the thieves are motivated by commodity vs. art, and will scrap the priceless works for sale on the black market, breaking the pieces for their stones and melting down the precious metals. In doing so, the thieves can make more high-ticket sales while remaining undetected.
Has this ever happened before at the Louvre?
According to National Geographic, the Louvre has a long history of bold heists — but it’s been a while until now.
In 1911, the Mona Lisa — then a lesser-known piece by Leonardo da Vinci — was taken by Vincenzo Peruggia, a former employee dressed in his old work uniform. No one noticed it was missing for over 24 hours. The painting was recovered two years later after Peruggia tried to sell it to another museum.
In 1940, a portion of the Louvre’s collection was looted by occupying Nazis, though the museum’s director had already hidden most of its collection in a safe house off-site.
There was the 1966 theft of antique jewelry, which was being transported back to France from a loan to a Virginia museum. Those jewels were recovered after being found in New York inside a grocery bag. A decade later, one group of thieves stole a Flemish painting, and months after that, another group stole French King Charles X’s jeweled sword. The sword is still missing.
The most recent string of heists occurred in the 1990s. In 1990, thieves cut a Renoir painting from its frame in broad daylight and also took ancient Roman jewelry and other paintings. In 1995, two pieces — a painting and a battle ax from a 17th-century bronze sculpture — were stolen. Finally, in 1998, a Camille Corot painting was cut from its frame and taken. It hasn’t been recovered.
What about in Philly? Any heists?
Yep. Philly-area museums have seen their fair share of art thefts over the years.
Dating back to the 1980s, several thefts or alleged thefts have occurred across the Philadelphia Art Museum, Rodin Museum, Penn Museum, and more, according to Inquirer archives.
Various thefts include a gold saw from Iraq and a 19th-century Chinese crystal ball taken from the Penn Museum in 1981 and 1988, a painting taken during a Philadelphia Art Museum after-hours party in 1984, and a bronze sculpture from the Rodin Museum in 1988 during a gunpoint robbery. The sculpture was recovered shortly afterward, and the alleged robber was arrested and charged. The crystal ball was also recovered.
There’s also Frank Waxman, the Philly-based doctor who authorities said secretly amassed the largest known private collection of stolen art: about 150 pieces worth more than $2 million. The FBI raided his Rittenhouse condo in 1982 to find Rodins, Picassos, and more. Due to the statute of limitations surrounding his thefts, he was only convicted of taking eight pieces and served eight months in prison.
In 2003, the Barnes Foundation said hundreds of items were missing from its collection, including a piece by Henri Matisse, a Jean Renoir ceramic vase, a mahogany Steinway piano, and historic recordings. It’s unclear whether the items were stolen or simply unaccounted for. No formal large-scale investigation took place.
There was also an incident in 2017 where Michael Rohana, who was attending an after-hours ugly sweater party at the Franklin Institute, broke the thumb off a life-size Chinese terracotta warrior statue.
Rohana described the incident as a “drunken mistake” and returned the thumb, which he had taken home. Still, it caused international turmoil, with Chinese officials accusing the Franklin Institute of carelessness with the artifact. The statue, which is called “The Cavalryman,” is insured for $4.5 million. Rohana went to court in 2019, eventually pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge in 2023. He was sentenced to five years’ probation, a $5,000 fine, and community service.
Thomas Gavin admitted to targeting dozens of museums up and down the East Coast, taking valuable artifacts sometimes unnoticed for years. The Hershey Museum and Pennsylvania Farm Museum in Landis, Lancaster County, were among some of the museums impacted. Gavin’s crimeswent cold for so long that the statute of limitations expired for many, leading him to only serve a day in prison for trying to sell a historic rifle.
What does the jewel heist mean for museums’ futures?
The latest Louvre heist comes amid a tense time for museums worldwide.
Following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, museums have been working to balance mass tourism, stretched-thin staff, and security upgrades.
Locally, the Philadelphia Art Museum and its employees reached a settlement last year after a yearlong dispute over pay raises called for in their 2022 labor contract and a nearly three-week strike.
At the Louvre, a June staff walkout over frustrations with overcrowding and chronic understaffing led to a delayed opening. Unions say mass tourism leaves too few eyes on too many rooms and creates pressure points where construction zones, freight routes, and visitor flows meet.
Officials say security updates are underway at the Louvre as part of an $800 million modernization plan. But critics say the measures are too little, too late.
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
Which neighborhood is joining the Open Streets movement this month?
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Open Streets is coming to Queen Village on the next two Saturdays as the neighbors association seeks the business boost and relaxing car-free vibe of the widely popular original version on West Walnut Street.
Question 2 of 10
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has a new name and acronym. What is it?
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After 87 years, it’s not the Philadelphia Museum of Art anymore. As of Wednesday, the city’s largest visual arts institution has a new, slimmed-down name: Philadelphia Art Museum. The museum is now sometimes referring to itself under an even shorter sub-brand: PhAM.
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Which Pennsylvania convenience store performed best in a national customer satisfaction survey?
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Wawa and Sheetz tied for the No. 2 slot of a national customer satisfaction survey, fueling the long-standing local rivalry. Wisconsin-based Kwik Trip took the No. 1 slot.
Question 4 of 10
A movie about a movie is filming in parts of Philly and New Jersey. What will it be about?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
I Play Rocky is a dramatic, behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the Oscar-winning Rocky. New York-based Grant Wilfley Casting is looking to hire real life boxers as extras.
Question 5 of 10
“Real Housewives” star Yolanda Hadid, is selling the Bucks County farmhouse she owned, where her three children — models Gigi and Bella Hadid, and musician Anwar Hadid — would visit and stay. Which feature does the home NOT include?
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A lavender field, an outdoor labyrinth for meditating, and a dressage area are just some of the features of Yolanda Hadid’s farmhouse, recently listed for $10.88 million. But there’s no movie theater feature in sight.
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Question 6 of 10
Former Phillies star and current TBS analyst Jimmy Rollins won a MasterCraft X24 speedboat after sinking a hole in one during the 12th hole at the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe in July. Ultimately, he decided to sell it. Who bought it?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
While Rollins initially said he planned to keep the boat, valued around $325,000, he ultimately decided to sell it to Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready. Apparently, Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder is a big wakeboarding fan and was helping McCready find a boat. MasterCraft knew Rollins was selling the boat he won, so one thing led to another, and now McCready has the speedboat he was looking for.
Question 7 of 10
A then 12-year-old Harrison Bader made a small cameo in this indie band’s music video:
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Bader is one of a group of children featured in Vampire Weekend’s music video for the song “Oxford Comma.” That’s because Bader is cousins with the band’s bassist, Chris Baio. The two grew up together in Bronxville, N.Y.
Question 8 of 10
Prime Video has a new documentary on a Philly sports favorite. Who does it star?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Prime Video’s Saquon documentary premiered on Thursday, the same day the Eagles faced the New York Giants on Amazon’s streaming service. It’s no coincidence.
Question 9 of 10
24,000 bottles of this celebrity’s tequila brand were stolen on their way to Pennsylvania:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
About $1 million worth of Guy Fieri’s Santo Tequila went missing en route to a warehouse in Montgomery County. But now, it appears an international crime group was to blame for the booze never even making it to Pennsylvania.
Question 10 of 10
Unsurprisingly, Jason Kelce loves a lot of songs off Taylor Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl. But, he said, “Opalite” and this other track are his No. 1 picks:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The eldest Kelce said his other favorite track is “Eldest Daughter” because he’s “a sucker for a ballad.” He added, “I just think the expression in that song and the sentiment behind it is beautiful.”
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Do you work here? You’re a local news stan with the latest updates on Philly happenings. Your friends definitely ask you for summaries on what’s going on and it shows.
Picture it: The Birds game is on, you’re snacking on the couch, and suddenly, you hear it: “This holiday season, my good friend gave to me: seven Powerball tickets — .” With the start of Pennsylvania’s annual showing of its prized lottery Christmas commercial, the holiday season is truly here.
Dating to 1992, the ad, which is titled “Snowfall,” features a group of carolers singing an abridged and heavily modified version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” swapping the usual swans a-swimming and geese a-laying for an array of lottery games.
On social media, the return of the ad — which typically begins airing in early November — is celebrated. “It’s practically a holiday tradition,” one Reddit user wrote 13 years ago about the ad (from a Reddit thread in 2011 discussing its return that holiday season). A new Reddit thread posted this week also embraced the holiday ad.
“The moment they hear the carolers sing, many Pennsylvanians reflexively smile, sing along, and mentally count the weeks until they can put up the tree,” Drew Svitko, the Pennsylvania Lottery’s executive director, said in 2016 ahead of the ad’s 25th anniversary. “We are proud that our popular commercial brings back so many warm memories for viewers and has become a Keystone State holiday tradition.”
But the ad we see today is not the exact ad that was shown over three decades ago.
The original version was filmed in Pittsburgh ahead of its 1992 debut. It features an older man, Joe, leaving his place on a snowy night to dole out lottery ticket gifts throughout his neighborhood, including tocoffee- and newsstand owners. Carolers sing. That version was shown from 1992 through 2011.
In 2011, the Pennsylvania Lottery reproduced the holiday commercial in high-definition video and to accommodate modern TV specs. This time, the shoot took place in Philadelphia. But the shot-for-shot remake was so carefully executed, many viewers didn’t notice the difference when it was shown in 2012 until it was pointed out.
“The lottery took great care in recreating the beloved ad,” Pennsylvania Lottery spokesperson Ewa Swope said Tuesday. “By retaining the original audio track and voice-over, along with the shot-for-shot remake, we stayed true to the look and feel of the original spot.”
Local Philly blog Crossing Broad posted a side-by-side comparison of the 1992 and 2012 ads to highlight the matching.
Of course, the 2012 ad has been tweaked slightly over the years to account for changes to the lottery’s game offerings. Swope said a visual card within the ad is also updated annually to spotlight a featured holiday scratch-off game — this year’s is the Jingle Jangle Jackpot.
“Because the original spot is so beloved, we didn’t want to upset anyone by going in a vastly different creative direction,” Connie Bloss, a marketing pro who worked on both the 1992 and 2012 “Snowfall” ads, told the Associated Press at the time of the new spot’s debut. “We meticulously examined each frame to match the outfits, props, location, and other small details. We really wanted to get it right.”
Swope said the ad’s aim has always been the same: to remind consumers that lottery products can be given as gifts. Becoming a holiday classic was just a bonus.
“We could not have imagined in 1992 that this spot would become such a holiday classic,” Swope said. “We routinely hear from players that when they see the commercial, they know the holiday season is starting. We are happy that so many players enjoy and look forward to this spot as a part of their holiday tradition.”
You can watch the latest version of “Snowfall” below:
