Dec 31, 2007 10:57 pm US/Eastern
In 2008, Pittsburgh Celebrates 250 Years
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
At the stroke of midnight, Pittsburgh will begin to mark its 250th anniversary.
The "point" with its confluence of three rivers was arguably the most important piece of real estate in 18th century North America.
First with the French and then the British, the triangle of land became a crucible for control of the gateway to the west.
And 250 years ago, in 1758, it was christened "Pittsburgh," as George Washington and General Forbes stood over the smoldering ruins of Ft. Duquesne.
Pittsburgh evolved from frontier outpost, to bustling port, to a smoky city icon for the steel industry and the labor movement.
With the New Year, organizers of Pittsburgh's 250th birthday celebration will begin a series of events not only commemorating our important past, but looking at a promising present and hopes for an even more celebrated future.
"Pittsburgh - 250 really is an opportunity for our region to shuck-off its reputation as the smoky city," Andy Masich from the Heinz History Center said.
Point State Park, the city's birthplace, will reopen after a $35 million facelift.
"And there'll be books and there'll be all kinds of parades and reunions, the likes of which the city has never seen," Masich said.
Pittsburgh has aged well after two and a half centuries and its greatest birthday gift might be that the good life here is no longer a well-kept secret.
"This isn't your grandfather's Pittsburgh - this is the Pittsburgh of the future," Masich said.
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