More About Pittsburgh!
When Pittsburgh celebrated its 150th birthday in 1908, the city proudly exclaimed that it was an occasion, “…to shout, to sing, to put on gala attire, and parade, and extend greetings and welcome to the whole world. For, is not the city great and day by day growing greater?” At this time, Pittsburgh boasted achievements in science, art, industry and patriotism that afforded the city an enviable position and status. If Pittsburgh reached greatness in the early part of the twentieth century, then the city has truly become extraordinary in the twenty-first century as it commemorates the 250th anniversary of the naming of the city by General John Forbes in 1758.
Revered as one of America’s oldest cities, Pittsburgh features a beautiful skyline of skyscrapers and bridges positioned on the land between the confluence of the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela rivers, thus rendering it one of the most photographic cities in America. Famous for having more bridges than any other city in the world, except Venice, Pittsburgh is often referred to as "The City of Bridges". Pittsburgh experienced several decades of growth and prosperity with the rise of steel production in the late 1800’s as well as becoming an industrial empire of coal, iron, steel, glass, and oil along its’ three rivers.
However, the steel industry in Pittsburgh started to diminish in the 1970’s and with it the wealth and population of the city declined. During the later twentieth century, Pittsburgh experienced a rebirth and welcomed new industries as well as advancing its financial and educational institutions, serving as home to 28 colleges and universities. Today, Pittsburgh is recognized as a world leader in healthcare and has developed internationally renowned programs in transplantation, cancer, neurosurgery, psychiatry, orthopedics and sports medicine, among others.
Pittsburgh exudes culture and enjoys the lively Cultural District located in the heart of city. The Cultural District features several beautifully restored theatres that perform as venues for the world-famous Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, as well as other musical and theatrical performances. In June 2009, Pittsburgh will celebrate the Three Rivers Arts Festival offering free outdoor concerts, a vibrant artist market where artists from all over the country display and sell their wares, food, and festival entertainment. Pittsburgh has hundreds of museums and art galleries to explore as well as serving as a premier sporting destination for football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. Pittsburgh’s dedication to their professional sports teams has a long history and the city has been named the "City of Champions" for its success in sports, particularly during the 1970s.
With a strong commitment to electronic scholarly communication the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University will be exceptional hosts of the 12th International Symposium on Electronic Theses and Dissertations in 2009.
