During the holiday season of 1948, three well-known performing artists with Western Pennsylvania connections all appeared in the same motion picture: MGM’s movie musical “Words and Music." For each of the performers—Gene Kelly, Perry Como, and Lena Horne­—the film marked a turning point.

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An October post featuring Pittsburgh businesswomen garnered such great response that it deserved a follow up. These efforts remind us why celebrations like the 19th Amendment Centennial need to go forward despite pandemic challenges and why projects such as the History Center’s “Women Forging the Way” initiative and the Smithsonian’s “Because of Her Story” are crucial.

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Sixty-five years ago, Dr. Jonas Salk saved countless lives around the world with the development of an effective vaccine for polio.

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In the Chanukah display of the A Very Merry Pittsburgh experience at the Heinz History Center is a box of candles with 120 years of history. The box itself is unremarkable, but a sticker pasted on its backside offers this intriguing note: “These Chanuko Candles are Presented in Loving Memory of Abraham Lippman, President of The Rodef Shalom Congregation from 1889 to 1910.”

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The History Center Museum Shop has Pittsburgh-proud gifts for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season! All purchases help support the work of the Smithsonian-affiliated History Center and its family of museums. Check out our top 10 picks this holiday season!

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