History of Fred Rogers in Timeline
"Mister Rogers" was the beloved host of the long-running children's show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." From 1968 to 2001, he educated and entertained generations of preschoolers with his gentle demeanor, catchy songs, and life lessons about kindness, imagination, and self-acceptance. Beyond television, he was an ordained minister, author, and producer.
March 20, 1928: Birth of Fred Rogers
Fred McFeely Rogers, best known as Mister Rogers, was born on March 20, 1928, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
1928: Birth of Fred Rogers
Fred Rogers was born in 1928 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
1948: Registration for the Draft
At 20 years old, Fred Rogers registered for the draft in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1948.
October 12, 1950: deemed Unqualified for Military Service
After a physical examination by the Armed Forces, Rogers was declared unqualified for military service on October 12, 1950.
1951: Exposure to Television and Career Choice
During his senior year at Rollins College in 1951, Rogers was exposed to television at his parents' home, which influenced his decision to pursue a career in the medium.
1951: Graduation from Rollins College
Fred Rogers graduated from Rollins College with a bachelor's degree in music in 1951.
1952: Marriage to Sara Joanne Byrd
Fred Rogers married Sara Joanne Byrd in 1952, marking the beginning of their lifelong partnership.
1953: Return to Pittsburgh and Work at WQED
In 1953, Rogers moved back to Pittsburgh to take a job at WQED, a public television station.
1955: Sylvania Award for The Children's Corner
The Children's Corner won a Sylvania Award for best locally produced children's programming in 1955.
1955: Premiere of The Children's Corner
The Children's Corner, a show Rogers helped develop, premiered in 1955.
1962: Graduation from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Fred Rogers graduated magna cum laude from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1962.
1963: Ordination as a Presbyterian Minister
Fred Rogers was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1963.
1963: Misterogers Premiere
In 1963, Fred Rogers began hosting "Misterogers," a 15-minute black-and-white children's program, marking his first on-camera appearance.
1963: Ordination by the Pittsburgh Presbytery
In 1963, the Pittsburgh Presbytery of the United Presbyterian Church ordained Fred Rogers as a Presbyterian minister.
1964: Work on Butternut Square
From 1964 to 1967, Fred Rogers worked on the children's show "Butternut Square" alongside Ernie Coombs.
1967: Misterogers Rights Acquired and Move to Pittsburgh
Fred Rogers acquired the rights to "Misterogers" in 1967. He then moved back to Pittsburgh with his family and the show's sets, despite having no job prospects at the time.
June 7, 1968: Special Segment on Robert F. Kennedy Assassination
On June 7, 1968, two days after the tragic event, a special segment of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" aired, addressing the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.
1968: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood National Premiere
"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" premiered nationally in 1968, beginning its iconic run on public television.
1968: Premiere of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, the beloved children's television series, premiered in 1968.
1968: Adaptation of Misterogers into Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Rogers adapted his Canadian show, Misterogers, into Mister Rogers' Neighborhood in 1968.
1969: Sesame Street Premieres
"Sesame Street," another popular children's program on PBS, premiered in 1969.
1969: Fred Rogers Testifies Before Congress
In 1969, Fred Rogers delivered a compelling testimony before Congress in defense of public programming.
1969: Testimony Before the U.S. Senate
In a powerful testament to the importance of public television, Fred Rogers testified before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Communications in 1969, advocating for continued funding for PBS.
1970: Fred Rogers Becomes a Pescatarian
After the death of his father in 1970, Fred Rogers adopted a pescatarian diet, abstaining from meat but still consuming fish.
1970: Chair of the White House Conference on Children and Youth
In recognition of his dedication to children's well-being, Fred Rogers was appointed chair of the White House Conference on Children and Youth in 1970.
1971: Family Communications, Inc. Founded
Fred Rogers established Family Communications, Inc. (FCI) in 1971 to produce "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" and other programming, marking a significant step in his career.
1973: Commemorative Quilts Created from Rogers' Honorary Degrees
Starting in 1973, two quilts were made using the hoods from the numerous honorary degrees bestowed upon Fred Rogers. These quilts stand as a testament to his impact on education and are kept at the Fred Rogers Center.
1975: Hiatus from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Fred Rogers decided to take a break from producing "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" in 1975 to concentrate on other projects, while reruns of the show continued.
1976: Joanne Rogers Begins Performing with Jeannine Morrison
Joanne Rogers began performing publicly with her college classmate, Jeannine Morrison, in 1976, showcasing her musical talents.
1978: Old Friends... New Friends
During his break from "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," in 1978, Fred Rogers created and hosted "Old Friends... New Friends," an interview program for adults that aired on PBS.
1979: Return to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
In 1979, after a nearly five-year hiatus, Fred Rogers resumed producing "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."
1979: Building a Library of Episodes
Starting in 1979, Fred Rogers and FCI began producing fewer new episodes per year, relying on a growing library of past episodes.
1981: Jeff Erlanger's Appearance on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
In 1981, ten-year-old Jeff Erlanger appeared on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood to discuss his experience with his electric wheelchair.
1982: Fred Rogers Discusses Parodies of His Work
In a 1982 interview with David Letterman, Fred Rogers shared his belief that parodies of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, such as those by Eddie Murphy on Saturday Night Live, were done with good intentions.
1984: Interview with Terry Gross on NPR
Fred Rogers was interviewed by Terry Gross for NPR in 1984.
1985: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Peak Ratings
"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" reached peak viewership between 1985 and 1986.
1986: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Peak Ratings
"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" reached peak viewership between 1985 and 1986.
September 1987: Guest Appearance on Good Night, Little Ones!
In September 1987, Fred Rogers made history by becoming the first guest on the Soviet children's show "Good Night, Little Ones!"
March 1988: Tatyana Vedeneyeva on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Tatyana Vedeneyeva, the host of "Good Night, Little Ones!," appeared on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" in March 1988, marking a cultural exchange.
1994: Fred Rogers' Heroes
Fred Rogers created and hosted "Fred Rogers' Heroes," a PBS special that highlighted individuals making positive contributions to children and education, in 1994.
1996: Acting Debut on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Stepping outside his familiar persona, Fred Rogers took on an acting role as a preacher in a 1996 episode of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman."
1997: Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award
In 1997, Fred Rogers received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award.
1998: Esquire Profile on Fred Rogers
Tom Junod profiled Fred Rogers for Esquire magazine in 1998, offering a glimpse into his disciplined daily routine and unique perspective on life.
1999: Induction into the Television Hall of Fame
Fred Rogers was honored with an induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999.
December 2000: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Ends Production
After a long and successful run, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" ceased production in December 2000.
August 31, 2001: Final Original Episode Airs
August 31, 2001, marked the airing of the final original episode of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."
2001: End of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
After 33 years on air, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood aired its final episode in 2001.
2001: Retirement of Fred Rogers
Fred Rogers retired from television in 2001, stepping away from "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" to focus on other endeavors.
2001: End of Production and Continued Relevance
Production on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood ended in 2001. Despite this, Rogers' messages of kindness and understanding continued to resonate with audiences.
2001: Last Original Episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
The final original episode of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" aired in 2001, although reruns continued.
October 2002: Fred Rogers Diagnosed with Stomach Cancer
Fred Rogers received a diagnosis of stomach cancer in October 2002, marking the beginning of his battle with the disease.
2002: Final Commencement Speech at Dartmouth College
Fred Rogers delivered his final commencement speech at Dartmouth College in 2002, inspiring a new generation with his message of kindness and compassion.
2002: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Fred Rogers was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.
February 27, 2003: Death of Fred Rogers
Fred Rogers passed away on February 27, 2003, at the age of 74.
March 1, 2003: Private Funeral for Fred Rogers
A private funeral was held for Fred Rogers on March 1, 2003, at Unity Chapel in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, allowing family and close friends to mourn his passing in an intimate setting.
May 3, 2003: Public Memorial for Fred Rogers
On May 3, 2003, a public memorial was held for Fred Rogers at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, attended by 2,700 people. The service featured performances by renowned artists and remarks by prominent figures, paying tribute to Rogers' life and legacy.
2003: Rogers' Legacy as a Source of Comfort
Following his death in 2003, Rogers' work became even more significant as a source of comfort and guidance, particularly during times of tragedy.
2005: Miniature Rogers House Unveiled
The Carnegie Science Center's Miniature Railroad and Village introduced a miniature replica of Rogers' house from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood in 2005.
2006: Fred Rogers Company Reaches Out to Angela Santomero
Three years after Rogers' death, the Fred Rogers Company contacted Angela Santomero, co-creator of Blue's Clues, to create a show that would continue Rogers' legacy.
2008: Joanne Rogers Concludes Performances with Jeannine Morrison
Joanne Rogers concluded her public performances with Jeannine Morrison in 2008, after a successful run of sharing music together.
2012: Rogers' Words Offer Solace After Sandy Hook Shooting
After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, Rogers' words of comfort and resilience circulated widely on social media, providing solace to many.
2012: Premiere of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
In 2012, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, a show inspired by Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and featuring characters based on the original series, premiered on PBS.
2012: Rogers' Testimony Resurfaces
Video footage of Rogers' 1969 testimony defending public programming went viral in 2012 amidst discussions about potential cuts to PBS funding.
March 4, 2014: Pennsylvania Historical Marker Approved
On March 4, 2014, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved the installation of a roadside marker honoring Fred Rogers in Latrobe.
2014: Fredasaurus Rex Friday XIII Relocated
The dinosaur statue "Fredasaurus Rex Friday XIII" was moved in front of the building housing the Fred Rogers Company offices in 2014.
June 11, 2016: Historical Marker Dedicated to Fred Rogers
A Pennsylvania Historical Marker, titled "Fred McFeely Rogers (1928–2003)", was installed and dedicated to Rogers on June 11, 2016.
2016: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Becomes One of the Longest-Running PBS Shows
By 2016, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" earned the distinction of being one of the longest-running programs in PBS history.
2016: Michael Long's Essay on Fred Rogers' Sexuality
In 2016, Michael Long published an essay in HuffPost exploring the public's curiosity surrounding Fred Rogers' sexuality, challenging traditional notions of masculinity.
2017: Rogers' Message Resonates After Manchester Bombing
Rogers' messages of compassion and understanding were shared widely in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, highlighting the enduring power of his work.
2017: Renewed Interest in Rogers' Testimony
The video of Rogers' 1969 testimony once again gained widespread attention in 2017 following President Trump's proposal to defund various arts-related government programs, including PBS.
2018: Finding Comfort in Rogers' Words After Parkland Shooting
Following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018, Rogers' messages of hope and healing were shared online, offering comfort to those affected by the tragedy.
2018: Release of "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"
In 2018, the documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor?", directed by Morgan Neville, was released, becoming a critical and commercial success. The film explored Rogers' life and legacy, achieving significant box office records for a biographical documentary.
2019: Release of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a film about Fred Rogers starring Tom Hanks, was released in 2019.
2019: Social Media Discussion on Fred Rogers' Sexuality
In 2019, an excerpt from the biography "The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers" sparked social media discussions about Rogers' sexuality, with some suggesting he may have been bisexual based on his own reflections on his attractions.
2021: "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" Statue Dedicated
A bronze statue titled "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" was dedicated at Rollins College in 2021, honoring Rogers and his legacy.
