What is 143 Day?

BELOVED children's show personality, Fred Rogers, is remembered each year on May 23, otherwise known as 143 Day.

Rogers' show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, aired in 1968 and impacted generations of young viewers.

What is 143 Day?

The holiday, 143 Day, was first celebrated in Fred Rogers' home state of Pennsylvania in 2019 to honor the late television personality.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was on the air for 33 years, and during that time, Rogers coined the expression 143 Day, with each number standing for how many letters are in each word of I love you.

The date occurred on the 143rd day of the year in which Rogers would tell his viewers to show their love for one another and help out in small and positive ways.

Studies have shown that people are more inclined to participate in awareness activities when one day is dedicated to it, reported.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf released a statement on May 23, 2022, to acknowledge the good deeds that Rogers brought to their state and said the community should strive for that level of care.

Wolf said, "The past three years, Pennsylvanians have shown that kindness is part of their very core, 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.”

In an episode, Rogers once said: “Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered ... just one kind word to another person."

Who was Fred Rogers?

Rogers was known for his empathetic, kind, and caring nature as he started each show of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood with his trademark song as he entered his home and exchanged one sweater for another.

He sang "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" as he changed out of his shoes and greeted his young viewers.

Rogers impacted generations of children from the 1960s through the 1990s and filmed his last episode in December 2000.

His biographer Maxwell King told Time that Rogers would wake up at 5am every day before getting ready for his show to hone in on what he could do for others that day.

“He would read the Bible, pray for other people, and then he would think about the coming day,” King said.