December 7, 1941, is a day to never be forgotten as Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and sent America into what would become World War II. During this time, radio was the fastest way to disseminate news. A reporter from KTU in Honolulu reported the happenings as they unfolded from the roof of the station’s office building. He was sent the report via telephone lines to NBC in New York. During the broadcast, explosions can be heard as the reporter describes the extensive damage – including a bomb dropped just 50 feet from the station’s tower. Only because of the radio, citizens heard the news as it unfolded and forever changed the world.
History Matters: “This Is No Joke: This Is War”: A Live Radio Broadcast of the Attack on Pearl Harbor
November 2, 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the first commercial radio broadcast. To celebrate this special anniversary, we’re shining a spotlight on 100 key moments in radio's history.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating your favorite radio memories throughout 2020. Use the hashtag #Radio100 across social media to share these moments with the world. Here’s to 100 wonderful years of radio, and to at least 100 more!
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