Mayor Thomas Menino gives city workers an A-plus for their response to Blizzard of 2013

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino hit the national airwaves when he made a brief appearance on the “Today” show, which is broadcasting from Faneuil Hall today.

“What do you think makes this city this so special?’’ asked “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie.

“Well, we’re a young city,’’ said the 70-year-old Menino, the longest-serving mayor in Boston’s 383-year history. He credited the region’s educational institutions and the health care industry for helping create a demographic bulge of residents aged 20 to 34.

“Excitement happens in this city every day,’’ said Menino, whose speech showed no signs of his long stay last year at Brigham and Women’s and the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. “It’s not a boring city. Things are happening.’’

The show’s long-time anchor, Matt Lauer, applauded the mayor for the way the city responded to the Blizzard of 2013, a storm that Lauer said “hammahed’’ the city as he mimicked a thick Boston accent.

“You guys handled it very well,’’ Lauer told Menino.

“Well, thank you very much, ‘’ Menino replied. “We did a fairly good job. We had some issues. But I think overall it was an A-plus job.’’

Menino then issued a proclamation declaring Friday “Today Show Day” in the city.

Guthrie ended Menino’s minute of fame by referring to a Boston Globe poll that found Menino has met with 57 percent of the city’s residents.