Pennsylvanians Reminded To Show Kindness on “1-4-3 Day”

Today, May 23rd is "1-4-3 Day" in Pennsylvania and this special day goes back to a very special man- Mister Rogers. 

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Fred Rogers was born on March 20, 1928 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, and although he was and author producer, and Presbyterian minister, he is most famous for being the host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood which ran from 1968 to 2001.

In a nod to its native son, Pennsylvania began celebrating May 23 as 1-4-3 Day in 2019. May 23 is the 143rd day of the year and 2022 and Mister Rogers was famous for using 1-4-3 as a different way of saying “I love you” with the numbers representing the number of letters in each word.

Mister Rogers was notorious for demonstrating compassion and kindness to others and it was also very important to him that people of all ages work on being a good neighbor.

When announcing the fourth annual 1-4-3 Day, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf called on Pennsylvanians as well as residents of other states to do something kind for someone in their life whether a neighbor or a stranger on May 23.  

“We have continued to carry out the legacy of Fred Rogers through simple good deeds and kind words to our neighbors, friends, family, teachers, first responders, and strangers" Governor Wolf said. 

On 1-4-3 Day, all Pennsylvanians are encouraged to demonstrate acts of compassion and kindness - even within their own selves.  Carrie Fischer Lepore, Deputy Secretary, Office of Marketing, Tourism, and Film for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development added, "When we show kindness to ourselves, it is easier to be kind toward others."

Anyone looking for inspiration of random acts of kindness they can demonstrate are encouraged to visit Pennsylvania's 1-4-3 Day website and all are invited to share their act of kindness to social media using #143DayInPA.