1953 January 14
Mayor Lawrence announced that articles of incorporation were ready to be filed for formation of Pittsburgh's "Metropolitan Educational Television Station, Inc.," WQED.

1953 January 15
Grading and seeding started at the Point Park in time for greenness in the spring.

1953 January 22
Mayor Lawrence announced his candidacy for election to a third term in order to see through "to its climax of achievement" Pittsburgh's rebuilding program.

1953 January 26
Plans were announced for construction of a 2000-unit, $24,500,000 low-rent housing project in City View-Summer Hill section of the North Side. Residents of the area immediately announced plans to fight it.

1953 February 2
A 60-day trial of rigid no-parking rules Downtown went into effect; only 17 autos were towed away by police to the city auto pound.

1953 February 8
After obtaining Edgar J. Kaufmann's approval of the use of a $1,000,000 grant originally pledged to the Civic Light Opera, Mayor Lawrence announced plans to proceed with construction of a $7,000,000 sports-theater arena, with a retractable roof, as the key project in the Lower Hill District redevelopment area.

1953 February 10
David J. McDonald, secretary-treasurer of the United Steel Workers since its inception in 1937 and once a prospect for Hollywood filmland, was elected, without opposition, second president of the 1,100,000 union.

1953 March 4
The Allegheny Conference on Community Development revealed plans for a toll tunnel under Mount Washington as the most feasible way to finance that link in the Penn-Lincoln Parkway.

1953 March 12
A $30,000,000 public-works program for new bridges, highways, and other improvements was announced by the county commissioners.

1953 March 26
Dr. Jonas E. Salk, 38-year-old University of Pittsburgh researcher and professor, reported success of a new polio vaccine tried on 90 human beings; the vaccine was developed by him and his staff at Pitt.

Courtesy of the Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

1953 April 20
Carnegie Tech announced a move to raze Carnegie Inn, a campus landmark, and build a modern $700,000 men's dormitory.

1953 May 6
Because of Pittsburgh Railways' opposition, the city discarded its plan for making Forbes Street and Fifth Avenue one way in order to relieve traffic congestion expected with temporary closing of the Boulevard of the Allies.

1953 May 12
The $4,500,000 Nurses' Residence for the Medical Center was dedicated and its quarters were opened for 600 student nurses and 46 staff members.

1953 May 19
In the primary election, City Solicitor Anne X. Alpern received both the Democratic and Republican nominations to a judgeship.

1953 June 4
Pittsburgh's most publicized and highest paid baseball player, Ralph Kiner, was traded to the Chicago Cubs.