Opinion
WTAE Editorial: Pittsburgh tells the story of the nation
THIS IS A WTAE EDITORIAL. SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD IS CHARLES W. WOLFERTZ III PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF WTAE. AS AMERICA CELEBRATES ITS 250TH BIRTHDAY THIS WEEKEND, PITTSBURGH HAS EVERY REASON TO CELEBRATE. ALONGSIDE IT, OUR CITY TELLS THE STORY OF THE NATION ITSELF, A STORY OF RESILIENCE, REINVENTION, HARD WORK, AND HOPE. LIKE THE NATION, PITTSBURGH HAS FACED MOMENTS OF HARDSHIP AND TRANSFORMATION. YET TIME AND AGAIN, OUR REGION HAS ANSWERED CHANGE NOT WITH SURRENDER, BUT WITH DETERMINATION. FROM THE FRONTIER SETTLEMENTS THAT HELPED SHAPE THE YOUNG REPUBLIC TO THE MILLS THAT FORGE THE STEEL THAT BUILT AMERICA’S BRIDGES, SKYSCRAPERS, RAILROADS AND SHIPS, PITTSBURGH HAS NOT JUST WITNESSED HISTORY. WE HAVE HELPED MAKE IT. GENERATIONS OF STEELWORKERS, MINERS, RAILROAD WORKERS, TEACHERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS BUILT COMMUNITIES WHERE OPPORTUNITY COULD TAKE ROOT. THEIR LABOR DID MORE THAN STRENGTHEN OUR LOCAL ECONOMY. IT HELPED BUILD A NATION. WHEN THE STEEL INDUSTRY DECLINED, PITTSBURGH REFUSED TO STAND STILL. WE REINVENTED OURSELVES, BECOMING A GLOBAL LEADER IN HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, ROBOTICS AND TECHNOLOGY. PITTSBURGH REMAINS A PLACE WHERE INNOVATION AND HARD WORK GO HAND IN HAND. WE BELIEVE ON THIS HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY, LET US CELEBRATE THE PEOPLE WHO CAME BEFORE US. HONOR THOSE WHO SERVED TODAY, AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO PRESERVING THE FREEDOMS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT HAVE HELPED DEFINE OUR REPUBLIC FOR TWO AND A HALF CENTURIES. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! WT
Opinion
WTAE Editorial: Pittsburgh tells the story of the nation
Updated: 1:56 PM EDT Jul 2, 2026
As America celebrates its 250th birthday this weekend, Pittsburgh is reflecting on its history of resilience, reinvention, hard work, and hope. WTAE President & General Manager Charles W. Wolfertz III speaks on behalf of the editorial board ahead of this Fourth of July weekend in the Steel City.
PITTSBURGH —
As America celebrates its 250th birthday this weekend, Pittsburgh is reflecting on its history of resilience, reinvention, hard work, and hope.
WTAE President & General Manager Charles W. Wolfertz III speaks on behalf of the editorial board ahead of this Fourth of July weekend in the Steel City.