Author: Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh

Daylight

This Week in Pittsburgh History: The First Daylight Saving Time Takes Effect in the United States

The idea of moving the clock ahead one hour in the spring came from a Pittsburgh industrialist and member of City Council.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

3rivers

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Steelers Turn Out the Lights at Three Rivers Stadium

Plus, the University of Pittsburgh makes an historic coaching hire.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Pitt Stadium

This Week in Pittsburgh History: The Last Game at Pitt Stadium

During its 74-year lifespan, the stadium was also the second home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, until the team moved to Three Rivers Stadium.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Michael,keaton,at,the,world,premiere,of,'dumbo',held,at

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Before Tossing Out First Pitch, Michael Keaton Unloads on Pirates’ Ownership

The Academy Award winning actor's criticisms more than a decade ago are still being heard today.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Madoff

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Councilwoman Michelle Madoff Hosts Party in the Bathroom

Madoff became one of the most colorful members of City Council during her 15 years in office.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Thumbnail Cigna Fred Anniversary Show

This Week in Pittsburgh History: An Alligator in the Sewer System?

The late radio host, John Cigna, dreamed up several memorable April Fool's pranks.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Msp285 B013 F21 105

This Week in Pittsburgh History: The St. Patrick’s Day Flood

The flood is considered one of the region's worst natural disasters.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Blizzard 1993

This Week in Pittsburgh History: The Storm of the Century

Watch video from when Pittsburgh experienced its largest single-day snowfall in history.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

This Week

This Week in Pittsburgh History: The Steelers and Pirates Visit the White House

It was a rare visit by two championship teams from the same city in the same year.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Eqsvs5jxaaaypnf

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Pitt Helps Train Cadets For World War II

At one point, 1,000 soldiers preparing for war were living in the Cathedral of Learning.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Dsc 0062

This Week in Pittsburgh History: ‘Snowmageddon’ Paralyzes The City

More than 20 inches of snow fell in a single day.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

83184641 2553563724887487 8861185656760565760 N

This Week in Pittsburgh History: The Love Affair That Led to an Infamous Jail Break

More than a century ago, two Canadian brothers housed at the Allegheny County Jail while awaiting execution escaped with the help of the warden's wife.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Mario Lemieux Returns to the Ice After His First Retirement

After a more than three-year break, the superstar reassured fans within seconds that he had not lost any of his magic on the ice.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Sudden Death

This Week in Pittsburgh History: “Sudden Death,” Shot in Pittsburgh, Opens in Theaters

There are plenty of familiar faces in the movie, including Mike Lange, Paul Steigerwald and several Penguins players.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Dorsett Then

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Pitt Running Back Tony Dorsett Wins the Heisman Trophy

A senior in 1976, Dorsett led Pitt to its first National Championship since 1937.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

8998 Calliguiri

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Mayor Richard Caliguiri Announces Plans for Renaissance II

The plan resulted in significant changes to the city’s skyline but was offset by a sharp downturn in the local economy.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Screen Shot 2021 11 01 At 113541 Am 2

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Mean Joe Greene’s Jersey Is Retired

Watch as some of his former teammates joined thousands of fans to honor Greene, only the second Pittsburgh Steelers player to have his number officially retired.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Crosbygoal

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Sidney Crosby Scores His First Hat Trick

Take a look back at one of the most significant moments in his incredible career.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Game 7 1979 Ws

This Week in Pittsburgh History: The Pirates Win Two World Series

On the same day in 1971 and 1979, the Pirates defeated the same team to become World Champions.

Richard Cook, Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Pittsburgh Bridge To Nowhere

This Week in Pittsburgh History: “Bridge to Nowhere” Finally Opens

Although the bridge over the Allegheny River to Pittsburgh's North Side was completed in five years, it was unusable for another six.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Martinhomer

This Week in Pittsburgh History: The Most Exciting Game at PNC Park

The National League Wild Card game in 2013 rewarded a raucous crowd with an unforgettable win. Watch the game's pivotal moment.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Clemente

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Roberto Clemente Gets His 3,000th Hit

It was the last regular-season at-bat of his career.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Cathedral Jul21

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Pitt Commits to Building the Cathedral of Learning

It would take 11 years for this Pittsburgh landmark to get from groundbreaking to dedication.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

12028617 1658374357739766 936211973049526587 O

This Week in Pittsburgh History: The Beatles’ Only Concert in Pittsburgh

It was back in 1964 when Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney performed their one and only Pittsburgh show at the Civic Arena.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Earhartthumb

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Amelia Earhart Crash Lands in Fox Chapel

Earhart initially thought her flight would end with “a perfect landing.”

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

13667970 1774693099441224 311530526995383913 O

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Northway Mall Opens

At the time, it was the first enclosed shopping mall in Pennsylvania.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Quecreek

This Week in Pittsburgh History: The Quecreek Miners Are Rescued

Also, the mastermind behind the 1970s-era Super Steelers enters the Hall of Fame, Sidney Crosby becomes a Penguin and the author of the famous “Last Lecture” passes away.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Cigna

This Week in Pittsburgh History: John Cigna Moves to Mornings

Also, after 20 years of being spelled Pittsburg, the city got its “h” back for good.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

3rivers

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Three Rivers Stadium Opens

It would last for 30 years and be demolished with just half of its original debt paid off.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Dippy the Dinosaur

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Dippy the Dinosaur Is Unveiled

Also, Mister Rogers is honored at the White House.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Clemente

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Roberto Clemente Is Too Fast for Hollywood?

Clemente was offered a small part in the 1967 film “The Odd Couple” but was eventually replaced by Bill Mazeroski.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Meteor

This Week in Pittsburgh History: 625-Ton Meteor Explodes over Butler County

Despite the rarity of such an event, little was written about it at the time — and for good reason.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

136689250 2855553184688538 2856687414969900297 N

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Pens Draft Mario Lemieux

Despite a career plagued with health problems, Lemieux is widely considered to be one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Babe Ruth

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Babe Ruth Hits His Final Home Runs at Forbes Field

The Bambino went four-for-four, including three home runs before ending his legendary career less than three weeks later.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Hodrockridge164rockridgefront

This Week in Pittsburgh History: World’s First Suburb Founded

Evergreen Hamlet was initially home to a small utopian society and overlooked an infamous hotel.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

D6ob6t9wsaajkik

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Steel Phantom Opens at Kennywood

For a period of time, it was the world's fastest roller coaster.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Bob Prince

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Bob Prince Calls His Last Pirates Games

Prince is considered one of the most iconic broadcasters in Pittsburgh.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Screen Shot 2021 04 22 At 111229 Am

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Mister Rogers Goes to Washington

In six minutes of testimony before a Senate committee, Rogers convinced a skeptical lawmaker not to cut $10 million from the PBS budget.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Flashdance Thumb

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Flashdance Opens in Theaters

Far from a favorite with critics, the film shot and set in Pittsburgh would be the No. 1 movie in the country for 28 straight days.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Great Fire

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Great Fire of 1845

More than a third of the city and 1,200 businesses were destroyed and 12,000 people lost their homes.

Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

Get the latest from Pittsburgh Magazine by signing up for the 412 newsletter⇓

Related

Banana Explosioin

This Week in Pittsburgh History: The Pittsburgh Banana Company Explosion

Strayhorn Shutterstock

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Billy Strayhorn Meets Duke Ellington

Steelers 1942 Courtesy Pittsburgh Steelers

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Steelers Clinch First Winning Season

Pudge Heffelfinger Courtesy The Pro Football Hall Of Fame

This Week in Pittsburgh History: William Heffelfinger Becomes the First-Known Pro Football Player