The Pittsburgh History Journal

A night view of Pittsburgh looking east from Downtown, with the...

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:33:56 -0500

A night view of Pittsburgh looking east from Downtown, with the Monongahela River in the background, 1950s [University of Pittsburgh Digital Archives]

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 23,...

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:32:40 -0500

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 23, 1857

Novelist Margaret (Wade Campbell) Deland was born in Allegheny, Pa. [Historic Pittsburgh]

Andy Warhol’s (August 6, 1928 – February 22, 1987)...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:39:48 -0500

Andy Warhol’s (August 6, 1928 – February 22, 1987) homeroom class at Schenley High School, 1945. Warhol is fourth from the left in the back row. [The Warhol Museum]

Andy Warhol (August 6, 1928 – February 22, 1987), age 22....

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:36:00 -0500

Andy Warhol (August 6, 1928 – February 22, 1987), age 22. “Making the Rounds,” 1950 [The Warhol Museum]

Bridge at the Point, c. 1900 (via)

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:34:11 -0500

Bridge at the Point, c. 1900 (via)

Republican national convention in Pittsburgh, 1856 (via) On...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:32:59 -0500

Republican national convention in Pittsburgh, 1856 (via)

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 22, 1856

The first national convention of Republicans met in Lafayette Hall in Pittsburgh for a two-day session to complete national party organization. [Historic Pittsburgh]

“Why Pittsburgh Lays Claim to Being Birthplace of the Republican Party,” from The Pittsburgh Press, 1928

Pittsburgh Penguins, 1967 [Pittsburgh Hockey]

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:13:00 -0500

Pittsburgh Penguins, 1967 [Pittsburgh Hockey]

KDKA workers on strike (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) On This Day...

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:09:38 -0500

KDKA workers on strike (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 21, 1960

KDKA performers, members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, go on strike. [Historic Pittsburgh]

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., shaking hands with James McCoy Jr.,...

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:52:00 -0500

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., shaking hands with James McCoy Jr., with Mike Desmond on his right, surrounded by men and women (including Charles “Teenie” Harris and Matthew Moore), at University of Pittsburgh Student Union, November 1966 [Carnegie Museum of Art]

Teenie Harris, Photographer: An American Story: Carnegie Museum of Art, on exhibit until April 7, 2012

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 20, 1935 Government...

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:50:46 -0500

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 20, 1935

Government attorneys accused Andrew W. Mellon, former Secretary of the Treasury, at today’s continuation of the [Mellon tax trial] hearing, of short selling, involving an alleged deficiency in his income-tax payments before the Board of Tax Appeals. [The New York Times]

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 19, 1968 “Mister...

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:52:24 -0500

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 19, 1968

“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” the longest-running program on public television, premieres in America. [Family Communications, Inc.; The Neighborhood Archive]

Western University of Pennsylvania, 1833, by Russell Smith, Oil...

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 08:58:25 -0500

Western University of Pennsylvania, 1833, by Russell Smith, Oil on Canvas, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Pa. (wiki)

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 18, 1819

Pittsburgh Academy was rechartered by the Legislature and renamed Western University of Pennsylvania; its location was on Third Avenue. [Historic Pittsburgh]

The original National Record Mart on Wood Street, c. 1940 [Life...

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 08:58:16 -0500

The original National Record Mart on Wood Street, c. 1940 [Life in Western Pennsylvania]

Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle, 1923 [Brookline Connection]

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:25:30 -0500

Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle, 1923 [Brookline Connection]

Ethelbert Nevin in his studio at Queen Anne Lodge in...

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:23:57 -0500

Ethelbert Nevin in his studio at Queen Anne Lodge in Edgeworth, Pennsylvania (via)

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 17, 1901

Ethelbert Nevin, Pittsburgh composer of “Cradle Song,” “A Day in Venice,” “The Rosary,” and other well-known songs, died. [Historic Pittsburgh]

Credits: Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes, 12/20/1985

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:42:28 -0500

Credits: Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes, 12/20/1985

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 16, 1946 The...

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:41:38 -0500

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 16, 1946

The nationwide steel strike was virtually settled today, breaking one of the worst industrial crises in the country’s history.

The backbone of the 27-day-old strike was broken when the United Steelworkers(CIO) and United States Steel Corp. was settled last night approximating the terms proposed by President Truman four weeks ago. U.S. Steel historically sets the wage pattern for the entire basic steel industry. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 15, 1861 Abraham...

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:15:58 -0500

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: February 15, 1861

Abraham Lincoln, president-elect of the United States, delivers a speech to more than 4,000 Pittsburgh residents from the balcony of the Monongahela House.

The president-elect was on his way to his Washington inauguration when he stayed overnight in Pittsburgh, accompanied by his wife, sons, and a press contingent of 13 reporters. The next day, he delivered a speech to more than 4,000 residents of Pittsburgh from the balcony of the Monongahela House, whichfaced Smithfield Street between what is now First Avenue and Boulevard of the Allies.

Lincoln’s speech in Pittsburgh, Feb. 15, 1861, adapted from The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln (1953):

“Mayor Wilson and Citizens of Pennsylvania: I most cordially thank his Honor Mayor Wilson, and the citizens of Pittsburg generally for this flattering reception. It is the more grateful, because I know that, while it is not given to me alone, but to the cause which I represent, yet it is given under circumstances which clearly prove to me that there is good will and sincere feeling at the bottom of it. And here, fellow citizens, I may remark that in every short address I have made to the people, and in every crowd through which I have passed of late, some allusion has been made to the present distracted condition of the country. It is naturally expected that I should say something upon this subject, but to touch upon it all would involve an elaborate discussion of a great many questions and circumstances, would require more time than I can at present command, and would perhaps unnecessarily commit me upon matters which have not yet fully developed themselves. [Immense cheering, and cries of “good!” “that’s right!”]

The condition of the country, fellow-citizens, is an extraordinary one, and fills the mind of every patriot with anxiety and solicitude. My intention is to give this subject all the consideration which I possibly can before I speak fully and definitely in regard to it—-so that, when I do speak, I may be as nearly right as possible. And when I do speak, fellow-citizens, I hope to say nothing in opposition to the spirit of the Consititution, contrary to the integrity of the Union, or which will in any way prove inimical to the liberties of the people or to the peace of the whole country. And, furthermore, when the time arrives for me to speak on this great subject, I hope to say nothing which will disappoint the reasonable expectations of any man, or disappoint the people generally throughout the country, especially if their expectations have been based upon anything which I may have heretofore said.

Notwithstanding the troubles across the river, [the speaker pointing southwardly, and smiling] there is really no crisis, springing from anything in the government itself. In plain words, there is really no crisis except an artificial one! What is there now to warrant the condition of affairs presented by our friends “over the river?” Take even their own view of the questions involved, and there is nothing to justify the course which they are pursuing. I repeat it, then—-there is no crisis, excepting such a one as may be gotten up at any time by designing politicians. My advice, then, under such circumstances, is to keep cool. If the great American people will only keep their temper, on both sides of the line, the troubles will come to an end, and the question which now distracts the country will be settled just as surely as all other difficulties of like character which have originated in this government have been adjusted. Let the people on both sides keep their self-possession, and just as other clouds have cleared away in due time, so will this, and this great nation shall continue to prosper as heretofore. But, fellow citizens, I have spoken longer on this subject than I had intended in the outset—-and I shall say no more at present.

Fellow citizens, as this is the first opportunity which I have had to address a Pennsylvania assemblage, it seems a fitting time to indulge in a few remarks upon the important question of a tariff—-a subject of great magnitude, and one which is attended with many difficulties, owing to the great variety of interests which it involves. So long as direct taxation for the support of government is not resorted to, a tariff is necessary. The tariff is to the government what a meal is to the family; but, while this is admitted, it still becomes necessary to modify and change its operations according to new interests and new circumstances. So far there is little difference of opinion among politicians, but the question as to how far imposts may be adjusted for the protection of home industry, gives rise to various views and objections. I must confess that I do not understand this subject in all its multiform bearings, but I promise you that I will give it my closest attention, and endeavor to comprehend it more fully. And here I may remark that the Chicago platform contains a plank upon this subject, which I think should be regarded as law for the incoming administration. In fact, this question, as well as all other subjects embodied in that platform, should not be varied from what we gave the people to understand would be our policy when we obtained their votes. Permit me, fellow citizens, to read the tariff plank of the Chicago platform, or rather, to have it read in your hearing by one who has younger eyes than I have…

But I am trespassing upon your patience—-[cries of “no!” “no!” “Go on—-we’ll listen!”] and must bring my remarks to a close. Thanking you most cordially for the kind reception which you have extended me, I bid you all adieu.” [Enthusiastic applause.]

Monongahela House — Pittsburgh students inspecting room...

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:14:00 -0500

Monongahela House — Pittsburgh students inspecting room occupied by President-elect Abraham Lincoln [Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh]

The Heinz History Center’s exhibition Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War and Lincoln Slept Here featured Lincoln’s bed and bedroom set from the Monongahela House, the downtown Pittsburgh hotel that hosted the president-elect en route to his inauguration on Feb. 14, 1861.

Kindergarteners celebrate Valentine’s Day in the basement...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:16:04 -0500

Kindergarteners celebrate Valentine’s Day in the basement of the Oakmont Carnegie Library, 1931 [University of Pittsburgh Digital Archives]