March 20, 1928: Fred Rogers is born in Latrobe, Pa.
1954: Rogers introduces "The Children's Corner," a
children's show in Pittsburgh where he works as an unseen
puppeteer.
1963: Rogers accepts offer to develop his own 15-minute show,
"Misterogers," for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
1968: National Educational Television, which later becomes
Public Broadcasting Service, begins distributing the show, by then
called "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."
1985-86: Ratings peak for "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," as
8 percent of all U.S. households tune in.
1991: During the Persian Gulf War, Rogers tells youngsters,
"All children shall be well taken care of in this neighborhood and
beyond -- in times of war and in times of peace," and asks parents
to promise their children they will always be safe.
1993: At a ceremony marking the show's 25th anniversary,
Rogers says, "It's not the honors and not the titles and not the
power that is of ultimate importance. It's what resides inside."
1999: Rogers is inducted into Television Hall of Fame.
December 2000: Rogers tapes the show's final episode.
August 2001: Final episode airs.
July 2002: Rogers receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award during a White House ceremony.
September 2002: Rogers comes out of broadcasting retirement to
record public service announcements telling parents how to help
their children deal with the Sept. 11 attacks anniversary.
