Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Robpinion
Pittsburgh has been gaining a lot of attention over the past year. We’re the second hottest housing market for Millennials. We’re one of the most livable cities in the United States. We’re one of the best cities to retire to. We’re the number one food city in the entire country, according to Zagat. And we’re one of the best travel destinations for 2016.
That last accolade is particularly interesting, considering the historical significance of this year. You may have noticed banners on certain city buildings. You may have seen the dates pop up on Port Authority buses. You may have even seen it shared on social media. 2016 is the 200th anniversary of Pittsburgh’s incorporation as a city.
Festivities 200 Years in the Making
Pittsburgh has existed since well before 1816 as a township and a borough, but this March marks the official bicentennial of the Steel City. Pittsburgh has come a long way since its start as a city with less than 6,000 residents. Now a booming tech center with over 300,000 residents, Pittsburgh has a bright future ahead as it enters its third century.
The bicentennial celebration will be punctuated with events throughout the year. Mayor Bill Peduto will celebrate Incorporation Day this Friday, March 18, with fun family festivities, the opening of the City’s time capsule, and a gigantic birthday cake. The Heinz History Center will hold a Bicentennial Bash on July 8, which will be followed by a parade and fireworks display in honor of the swearing in of Pittsburgh’s first Mayor, Ebenezer Denny, on July 9.
A Humble and Unifying Celebration
When Pittsburgh celebrated its centennial in 1916, Mayor Joe “The Builder” Armstrong celebrated in a big way -- with the construction of the City-County Building on Grant Street. Mayor Peduto’s plans for the bicentennial are not this large in scale, but are no less grand in importance. As he states, “It will be a year celebrating the greatness that is this city through its people.”
In addition to the events noted above, some of Pittsburgh’s biggest and smallest annual events will be included in the celebrations. This includes high-profile events like the Pittsburgh Marathon and Bloomfield’s Little Italy Days and smaller ones like back-to-school picnics, film festivals, and the summer’s Open Streets.
To keep up with the year’s bicentennial events, check Visit Pittsburgh’s official calendar of PGH 200 events. Enjoy the celebrations with your fellow Pittsburghers, even those new to the Steel City or those just visiting.
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