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Early Years
His full name is Walter Leland Cronkite. He was born on November 4,1916, and moved to Texas with his family at a young age. Walter's interests in journalism were sparked whenever he read an article in "American Boy" magazine while he was still in junior high. It was then that he realized he wanted to be a reporter. He got early practice during high school by working on the year book committee and for the school newspaper. (Walter Cronkite Biography). -
College
Walter enrolled to the University of Texas at Austin in 1933. It was there that he studied political science, economics, and journalism. During this time, he took on a part-time job working with the "Houston Post" newspaper. After completing two years of college, he was a general reporter for the "Post," a radio announcer in Kansas City, Missouri, and sportscaster in Oaklahoma City, Oaklahoma. After he left the "Post," he worked for several years at the United Press International, where he -
College
covered World War Two in Europe, and plenty of other topics. (Walter Cronkite Biography). -
World War II
Walter Cronkite was not always just a televesion reporter, he actually started out as a newspaper correspondent, who was sent to WW2. 26-year-old Walter Cronkite was sent to report on the war with Germany. Little did he know, he would be there for over 3 years. During his time in Europe, he wrote many letters about his experiences, which were later discovered by his grandson. These letters showed Cronkite's softer side, since he was addressing his new bride as "darlingest." -
World War II
Even through these horrific experiences, Walter never let it stop him from doing what he loves. (Walter Cronkite's World War II letters home detailed in new book.) -
years at CBS
In 1950, Cronkite joined CBS News. At that moment in time, he hadn't quite yet made a name for himself. Two years later, he became a narrator for the tv progam "You Are There." He then became a narrator to "The Twentieth Century" program in 1954. Early 1964, Cronkite became the anchorfor the CBS coverage of the Democratic and Republican national presidential conventions. This is what really fully inttroduced Walter to the viewing public. (Walter Cronkite Biography). -
Assassination of JFK
On November 22nd, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Walter Cronkite had been the first to report the death. This sent the whole nation into shock. Cronkite had interupted a TV program to the President had been shot. Cronkite remained composed, as usual, when making the terrible news public. (Top 10 Walter Cronkite Moments: JFK, Vietnam, Watergate, WALTER CRONKITE'S TOP TEN BROADCASTS.) -
Vietnam War
Walter Cronkite, in Feburary 1968, went to oversee the Vietnam War to record and report it to the public. His broadcast became one of the most famous media moments of the war. Cronkite's report was actually a very important role, because it turned Americans against this war. Since Cronkite had such an impact, Lynodon Johnson said, "If I have lost Walter Cronkite, I've lost middle America." This was not the end of Cronkite as an anchorman, in fact, he became more popular and went on to find and -
Vietnam War
cover even better stories. (Cronkite's Vietnam Blunder.) -
Assassination of Martin Luther King jr.
Walter Cronkite led the broadcast about the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. He shared details of the assassination, along with a withness's account of the bullet hitting King. Its's said that Cronkite had America in shock during his broadcast of what had happened. Through his broadcast, Cronkite remained professional, showing little to no emotion. Even after Walter's death, this broadcast was still talked about and remembered. (WALTER CRONKITE'S TOP TEN BROADCASTS.) -
Moon Landing
On July 20th, 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the mood. Cronkite had a love for the space program and getting to report on this filled Cronkite with excitment. The news left him speechless and full of energy while other broadcasters remained neutral. This was not only a highlight for Walter personally, but it was also a highlight for his career. This event in History will alwasy be linked to this newsman. (Top 10 Walter Cronkite Moments: JFK, Vietnam, Watergate.) -
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Post CBS Retirement (Walter Cronkite Biography)
After retiring as anchor of the CBS "Evening News," Cronkite became correspondent to CBS News by working on the board's network from 1981 to 1991. During this time, he anchored CBS News science magazine series "Walter Cronkite's Universe." Also, he hosted "Walter Cronkite's 20th Century" between the late 1980's until 1992. In 1993, Cronkite produced his own company. During this time period, his company produced several award-winnig documents for the Discover Channel, PBS, and other networks. -
Post CBS Retirement
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Death
Four years after losing his wife, Cronkite was diagnosed with cerebrovascular disease in mid-2009. On July 17, 2009, he was pronounced dead. He passed away in his home in New York City at age 92. He was burried next to his wife in Kansas City, Missouri. Most will always remember him as the most trusted man in America. (Walter Cronkite's Top Ten Broadcasts, Walter Cronkite Biography). -
Our Sources
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/media-jfk-assassination-coverage-1963_n_4319651.html
http://www.newseum.org/2015/09/03/reporting-vietnam-walter-cronkite/
http://watchmojo.com/video/id/10845/
http://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/article/walter-cronkites-top-ten-broadcasts
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/walter-cronkites-world-war-ii-letters-home-detailed-in-new-book/
http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/cronkites-vietnam-blunder-7185
