On March 6, 1981, Walter Cronkite retired as anchor of the CBS Evening News.
He became anchor of the program on April 16, 1962.
“Known for his steady and straightforward delivery, his trim moustache, and his iconic sign-off line — ‘That’s the way it is’ — Cronkite dominated the television news industry during one of the most volatile periods of American history. He broke the news of the Kennedy assassination, reported extensively on Vietnam and Civil Rights and Watergate, and seemed to be the very embodiment of TV journalism.”
— CBS News
July 17, 2009
Following are a few videos from Walter Cronkite’s long history with the CBS Evening News.
September 2, 1963
The first 30-minute CBS Evening News
(The program had been 15-minutes long.)
November 22, 1963
The assassination of President Kennedy
February 27, 1968
Commentary about Vietnam
July 1969
Apollo 11
August 8, 1974
President Nixon’s resignation
January 20, 1981
American hostages released from Iran
March 6, 1981
Here’s Walter Cronkite’s final sign-off as the anchor of the CBS Evening News. And yes, he ended the broadcast with, “that’s the way it is…”
