Public Radio East serves Eastern North Carolina by providing news, fine arts, and informational programming that challenges, stimulates, educates, and entertains an intellectually curious audience.

© 2026 Public Radio East

Public Radio East
800 College Court
New Bern, NC 28562

EIN 56-1802728
Public Radio For Eastern North Carolina 89.3 WTEB New Bern 88.5 WZNB New Bern 91.5 WBJD Atlantic Beach 90.3 WKNS Kinston 89.9 W210CF Greenville
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Mister Rogers Still Asking Kids to Be His Neighbor

NPR | By Renee Montagne
Published February 19, 2008 at 6:00 AM EST
For more than 30 years, Fred Rogers opened his daily television program singing "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" while he changed his cardigan and sneakers.
/ PBS Television/Courtesy of Getty Images
/
PBS Television/Courtesy of Getty Images
For more than 30 years, Fred Rogers opened his daily television program singing "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" while he changed his cardigan and sneakers.

Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of the first nationwide broadcast of the PBS classic, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Fred Rogers died in 2003 but the gentle show continues to air, guiding children to the "land of make believe."

Now, an old video clip, circulating on YouTube, offers advice to millions of adults who remember the show:

"I'm just so proud of all of you who have grown up with us," says Rogers, seated at a piano in the clip. "And I know how tough it is some days to look with hope and confidence on the months and years ahead. But I would like to tell you what I often told you when you were much younger: I like you just the way you are."

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Renee Montagne
Renee Montagne, one of the best-known names in public radio, is a special correspondent and host for NPR News.
See stories by Renee Montagne