On this date, September 21, 1967, 51 years ago, Fred Rogers walked into the television studio at WQED in Pittsburgh to tape the very first episode of Mister Rogersā Neighborhood, which would premiere nationally on PBS in February 1968. He became known as Mister Rogers, nationally beloved, sweater wearing, ātelevision neighbor,ā whose groundbreaking childrenās series inspired and educated generations of young viewers with warmth, sensitivity, and honesty.
For those of you who donāt know, I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Mr. Rogers was not just a well loved and iconic TV show host, he was a hero to our city.
Rogers gaveĀ testimony, now famous (vids are posted online of it), advocating the government funding of childrenās television before the U.S. Senate. He made it a point to show and normalize children from all ethnicities on his show, and show children with disabilities (not common at the time). He tackled sensitive subject matter, like racism, war, death, etc. in a way that children could understand, without scaring them or making them feel bad in general. He was also a huge advocate for education, and teachers. I could go on and on about him, but basically: Everything this man did he did for children, and trying to make the world a better place for them.
When he passed away in 2003, the country mourned. But the city of Pittsburgh? Oh my God, I still remember it. Every local newspaper had him as the front page, detailing his life and work. At work all day, everyone was crying and talking about the show growing up. Reverend William Barker (Rogers was a Presbyterian minister as well) presided over a public memorial for him, which 2,000+ people attended, including Good Morning America. Sesame Street characters sang tribute music about him. Thereās now statues and permanent exhibits of him scattered throughout Pittsburghā¦ he was so important to my hometown, and to everyone else.
If you have the time, watch the filmĀ āWonāt You Be My Neighbor?ā that they made about him. Itās amazingly well done, and does him more justice than I could ever hope to.
RIP Mr. Rogers, thank you for all the memories <3
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