Stephen Colbert honors Boston's strength in show opener

Back on air with a new episode on Tuesday night, Stephen Colbert opened his first "Colbert Report" since the tragedy at the Boston Marathon with a funny, yet heartfelt tribute to the people of Boston, praising them for their resilience and tenacity throughout history.

"Whoever did this obviously did not know about the people of Boston. Nothing these terrorists do is going to shake them," Colbert said. "For Pete's sake, Boston was founded by the Pilgrims, a people so tough, they had to buckle their goddamn hats on."

"Here's what these cowards really don't get," Colbert continued. "They attacked the Boston Marathon, an event celebrating people who run 26 miles on their day off until their nipples are raw -- for FUN."

He also cited Aerosmith and the Red Sox as beacons of Boston that fight to the finish and don't give up.

He then concluded: "Here's what I know, these maniacs may have tried to make life bad for the people of Boston, but all they can ever do is show just how good those people are."

Well said, Colbert, well said.

He joins other talk show hosts, such as Craig Ferguson and Jimmy Kimmel, in paying tribute to the city.

Watch the video below: