21 Moments in Pittsburgh History You’ll Never Forget

Pittsburgh is certainly an incredible city. We’ve had our fair share of interesting history over the years, from a tornado on Mt. Washington to Super Bowl wins and everything in between. We put together some of the most memorable moments in Pittsburgh history, in no particular order, from around the time most of our readers might remember until closer to present day. Enjoy this trip down memory lane!



1. The Blizzard of ’93

Pittsburgh History

The Blizzard of 1993 that happened on March 13th of that year was not the most snow the region has ever seen. It was the most snow that has ever fallen in one day—a whopping 23.6 inches. CBS took a look back during the blizzard’s 20th anniversary.



2. The tornado on Mt. Washington

Pittsburgh History

An F1 tornado hit the Pittsburgh area and caused lots of damage in the Mt. Washington area of the city. Weather.gov took a look back at the dangerous weather.



3. The crash of USAir Flight 427

Pittsburgh History
Photo by Tony Tye for the Post Gazette

A USAir flight crashed in Hopewell Township on Sept. 8, 1994 due to a rudder hardover issue with the plane. All on board died. The New York Times covered the story the day after, describing a devastating and grisly scene.



4. The Immaculate Reception

Pittsburgh History

One of the most famous plays in football history, it occurred in an AFC divisional playoff game and sealed Franco Harris as an iconic part of Pittsburgh history forever.



5. The Greater Pittsburgh Airport opening

Pittsburgh History
Photo by PIZW for Flickr

In 1944, Allegheny County proposed expanding their military airport with a commercial passenger terminal to relieve some of the traffic from Allegheny County Airport, which opened in 1926. Ground was broken on the new passenger terminal in July of 1946 and opened on May 31, 1952. 20 years later the airport went from Greater Pittsburgh Airport to Greater Pittsburgh International with an international arrivals wing.



6. The Fort Pitt Tunnel opening

Pittsburgh History

The Fort Pitt Tunnel opened on September 1, 1960 with a dedication ceremony. It cost $17 million back then, which averages out to around $141 million today. Now, it’s home to lots of traffic decades later but still incredible views coming into the city.



7. The Pittsburgh Penguins are formed

Pittsburgh History

In 1967, the Pens were formed. Did you know that a contest was held to pick the name of the team and 700 of 26,000 entries picked the Penguins? A lot of it had to do with the fact that they played in the Civic Arena, which was nicknamed the Igloo at the time. Did you also know the logo with the yellow triangle behind the penguin playing hockey symbolizes the Golden Triangle of Pittsburgh?



8. The Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1971 World Series

Pittsburgh History

On Oct. 17, 1971 the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series in game 7 versus the Baltimore Orioles. That crazy Baltimore, still causing us trouble to this day!



9. The Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X

Pittsburgh History

Super Bowl X established the Steelers as the third team to win back-to-back Super Bowls and was just the beginning of the great dynasty of the 1970s. It also established Pittsburgh as the City of Champions.



10. Pamela’s Diner opens

Pittsburgh History




Pamela’s Diner was established in 1979, making for decades of weekend brunches digging into items like their gigantic pancakes

11. The Pittsburgh Marathon and Great Race begin

Pittsburgh History

The Marathon was established on May 5, 1985 and the Great Race eight years previous in 1977. They’ve been delighting Pittsburgh athletes ever since.



12. The Carnegie Science Center opens

Pittsburgh History

The center opened on October 5, 1991. Since then it has become the most visited museum in Pittsburgh.



13. PNC Park and Heinz Field open

Pittsburgh History

2001 was a big year for Pittsburgh. On March 31, PNC Park opened. Later that summer, Heinz Field opened, making for brand-new facilities for both the Steelers and Pirates.



14. The Stanley Cup is awarded in Pittsburgh for the first time

Pittsburgh History

On June 6, the Stanley Cup was first awarded in Pittsburgh on June 6, 2008 at Mellon Arena. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Penguins 4 games to 2 in a bittersweet day—it was exciting to see the cup but the Pens suffered a loss. Later, that would all change of course!



15. Rivers Casino opens

Pittsburgh History

The Rivers Casino opened on August 9, 2009 and includes multiple restaurants, buffets and slot machines—a little taste of Vegas in the ‘burgh.

16. The giant rubber duck comes to town





Pittsburgh History
Photo by KEITH SRAKOCIC/AP

Many will remember in September 2013 when a 40-foot rubber duck came to “tahn.” The duck was the work of a Dutch artist. It spent three weeks at Point State Park.



17. The day Roberto Clemente died

Pittsburgh History

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Roberto Clemente passed away on New Year’s Eve 1972 at the age of 38 in a plane crash. He left behind a wife and three children and an incredible legacy.



18. The Gateway Clipper begins operating

Pittsburgh History

The Gateway Clipper Fleet began in 1975 and is now believed to be the largest inland riverboat fleet in the country.



19. The O opens

Pittsburgh History
Photo by Ruth Eh Photography

Essie’s Original Hot Dog Shop, or the O as it is so affectionately nicknamed, opened in 1960 much to the delight of Pittsburgh college students living in Oakland and Pirates fans headed to nearby (at the time) Forbes Field. The restaurant is still in operation today, serving the 4th best hot dogs in America.



20. The U.S. Steel Tower is constructed

Pittsburgh History




On September 30, 1971, the U.S. Steel Tower opened. It made history as the first to use liquid-filled fireproofed columns.



21. The Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII

Pittsburgh History

2009 marked the last Super Bowl the Steelers have won, versus the Arizona Cardinals in a nail-biter, 27-23.



10 thoughts on “21 Moments in Pittsburgh History You’ll Never Forget”

  1. Unbelievable! A glaring omission has to be clinching the 1960 World Series against the Yankees with Bill Mazeroski’s historic homer. 10/13/60

    1. Barbara Flom Shapiro

      I was at that winning game in 1960! One of the most memorable moments of my life. I also couldn’t believe they omitted the game.

      I watched the Steelers win that last 2009 Super Bowl. That was via TV,
      but I watched it with my Dad, so it was sentimental, aside from being exciting. My sons grew up in New Jersey and were Steelers fanatics.
      I’m sitting in my son’s room now and it is all black and gold. His son lives in Israel and is a huge Steelers fan.

  2. Here’s how ancient I am! I remember going out to the airport when I was in high school (graduated in 1960) at the end of a date and standing outside somewhere on a deck above the first floor to watch planes coming/going.

  3. I saw or lived thru a few of these. I must say the tornado was difficult because I worked at the building on the river and just could not believe a tornado would hit Mt. Washington. The rainbows that crossed the rivers at the Pt were unbelievable

    1. Yes, thank you. Our high school class, South Hills 1965, held a post prom party on the Gatewat Clipper. 3am to 5 am. It was fabulous!

  4. How can you NOT mention the 1960 World Series when Maz hit the winning HR in the bottom of the 9th inning of game 7. Or mention the Johnstown Flood. Or the opening of Point State Park! Or The year The Pitt Panthers won the Championship Title.

    Who put this list together?

    Pittsburgh City Of Champions

  5. How about when the G-20 came to town and we were locked up like a fortress with military all over?

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