Walter Cronkite
Born 1916 · Age 109
American broadcast journalist; longtime anchor of the CBS Evening News (1962–1981), famed for coverage of WWII, the Kennedy assassination, the Vietnam War, the U.S. space program, Watergate, and for the sign-off "And that's the way it is."
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in St. Joseph, Missouri
Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. born to Dr. Walter Leland Cronkite Sr. (a dentist) and Helen Lena (Fritsche).
Family moved to Houston, Texas
Cronkite's family relocated from Kansas City area to Houston where he attended school and developed early interest in journalism.
Graduated high school and enrolled at University of Texas
After editing his high school newspaper, Cronkite entered University of Texas at Austin in fall 1933; worked on the Daily Texan and joined Chi Phi fraternity.
Dropped out of University of Texas to pursue journalism
Left UT in fall 1935 (junior year) to concentrate on full‑time newspaper reporting and radio work.
Entered broadcasting as radio announcer
Took a radio announcer post at WKY in Oklahoma City as he transitioned from print to radio.
Worked as sports announcer at KCMO; met future wife Betsy
While sports announcer for KCMO in Kansas City, Cronkite met Mary Elizabeth 'Betsy' Maxwell (future wife).
Joined United Press (UP) as correspondent
Became a United Press correspondent in Kansas City, launching his wire-service career.
Married Mary Elizabeth 'Betsy' Maxwell
Cronkite married Betsy Maxwell (date provided in regional biography sources).
Assigned to cover Battle of the North Atlantic
As a UP war correspondent, Cronkite covered the North Atlantic battles after U.S. entry into WWII.
Participated in Operation Torch coverage aboard USS Texas
Aboard USS Texas for North Africa invasion operations; flew off the ship to beat rival correspondent back to US to file uncensored reports.
Selected for 'The Writing 69th' — flew bombing raids over Germany
One of eight journalists chosen by USAAF to fly in B-17 missions; reportedly fired a machine gun at a German fighter.
Covered D-Day and Operation Market Garden; Battle of the Bulge
Reported on the Normandy landings and landed in a glider with the 101st Airborne; covered Battle of the Bulge.
Covered the Nuremberg trials
Served as a principal war‑crime trials correspondent reporting on proceedings at Nuremberg.
United Press bureau chief in Moscow (1946–1948)
Served as UP main reporter/bureau chief in Moscow following WWII.
Returned to U.S.; birth of first daughter Nancy
Returned to Kansas City for the birth of his first daughter (regional bio citation).
Joined CBS News (television division)
Edward R. Murrow recruited Cronkite to CBS; he began work at WTOP-TV in Washington, D.C.
Anchored 'Up to the Minute' (weekend 11pm newscast)
Served as anchor of CBS' 15-minute late Sunday evening newscast from 1951 through 1962.
Anchored coverage of 1952 presidential election and conventions
Head broadcaster for CBS’ convention coverage in the first nationally televised presidential campaign.
Began hosting 'You Are There' (1953–1957)
Hosted historical reenactment news-style series for CBS; famed closing line summarized events for audiences.
Co-hosted 'The Morning Show' (CBS)
Short-lived CBS competitor to NBC's Today; included segments conversing with puppet 'Charlemagne.'
Started hosting 'The Twentieth Century' documentary series
Hosted long-running documentary series (later The 21st Century) featuring newsreels and interviews.
Lead broadcaster for 1960 Winter Olympics
Replaced Jim McKay and anchored CBS coverage of the Winter Olympics, the first such televised event in the U.S.
Began covering the U.S. manned space program regularly
Covered Project Mercury and every manned flight thereafter; established reputation as a leading space program reporter.
Became anchorman of CBS Evening News
Succeeded Douglas Edwards as anchor of CBS nightly newscast (initially Walter Cronkite with the News).
Presented on first public trans‑Atlantic live broadcast (Telstar)
One of the main presenters in the multinational July 23, 1962 Telstar broadcast linking US and Europe live.
CBS Evening News expanded to half‑hour
Program expanded from 15 minutes to 30 minutes, making it the first nightly half‑hour network news program; Cronkite became anchor of first half‑hour evening news.
Anchored breaking coverage of JFK assassination
Broke bulletins live, returned to anchor desk, and at 2:38 pm EST made the official announcement of President Kennedy's death; continued days of uninterrupted coverage.
Interviewed Gen. Eisenhower on D-Day +20 special
Anchored CBS News Special Report 'D-Day + 20' which included an interview with Dwight D. Eisenhower (June 6, 1964 telecast).
Reported from Vietnam after Tet Offensive; aired pivotal editorial (Feb 27, 1968)
Traveled to Vietnam and concluded on-air editorial that the war was a stalemate and should be negotiated — widely credited with shifting public opinion.
Covered Apollo 11 Moon landing
Provided enthusiastic on-air coverage of Apollo 11, famously uttering 'Whew...boy' and helping CBS attain top ratings for mission coverage; won an Emmy for the coverage.
Published 'Eye on the World'
Published first book (illustrated compendium) titled Eye on the World.
Accompanied Nixon to China; reported on visit
One of the correspondents to travel with President Nixon on his 1972 visit to China.
Opened CBS Evening News with major Watergate segment
Ran a 14‑minute opening segment on Watergate, elevating the issue with broad national attention.
Voted 'The Most Trusted Man in America'
Named 'The Most Trusted Man in America' in a widely cited public opinion poll.
Covered Nixon resignation
Anchored CBS coverage surrounding Richard Nixon's resignation following Watergate; credited with helping bring the story to the public.
On TV for Ford–Carter presidential debate coverage
Cronkite was on television during the first presidential debate between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter in 1976.
Began appending Iran hostage captivity days to sign-off
On Day 50 (Jan 16, 1980) of the Iran hostage crisis Cronkite began adding the hostage count to his closing; continued until Jan 20, 1981 (Day 444).
Announced intention to retire from CBS Evening News
Publicly announced plans to retire; CBS had mandatory retirement policy at age 65.
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Jimmy Carter.
Hosted 'Universe' science series
Following retirement from the Evening News, Cronkite hosted the science television series Universe (ran until cancellation in 1982).
Final broadcast as anchor of CBS Evening News
Delivered farewell broadcast and sign-off 'And that's the way it is' for the last time; succeeded by Dan Rather the following Monday.
Conceived/hosted children's news series 'Why in the World'
Developed a news/science series for children that aired on PBS.
Narrated 'The Dream is Alive' (IMAX) and began voice work
Narrated the IMAX film about the Space Shuttle (released 1985) and increased voice-over/film work in the 1980s.
Appointed Adjunct Professor at University of Texas; returned for D‑Day commemoration
Named adjunct professor of journalism at UT Austin and briefly returned to anchor CBS Evening News for D‑Day 40th commemoration.
Inducted into Television Academy Hall of Fame
Recognized by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences; began hosting Vienna New Year's Concerts on PBS (1985–2008).
Narrator for Spaceship Earth EPCOT attraction (1986–1994)
Served as the narrator voice for EPCOT's Spaceship Earth from May 26, 1986 through August 15, 1994.
Signed multi-year deal with Discovery Communications (executive roles)
Signed a three‑year agreement to anchor, executive produce, and executive edit projects for Discovery and Learning Channel.
Co‑founded The Cronkite/Ward Company
Co‑founded production company that produced 100+ award-winning documentary hours for Discovery, PBS and others.
Broadway voice‑over debut
Made Broadway debut providing voice-over for 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.'
Published autobiography 'A Reporter's Life'
Released his memoir documenting decades in journalism.
Underwent successful heart bypass surgery
Reportedly had heart bypass surgery in 1997 and recovered successfully.
Anchored John Glenn's second spaceflight coverage
Anchored coverage for John Glenn's second spaceflight, mirroring his coverage of Glenn's first flight in 1962.
Received Norman Cousins Global Governance Award
Accepted the Norman Cousins Global Governance Award at the United Nations (PBS timeline entry).
Participated in panel on 'Integrity in the Media' at Connecticut Forum
Appeared alongside Ben Bradlee and Mike McCurry to discuss media integrity in Hartford, CT.
Published 'Around America'
Published the book Around America (Biography lists this 2001 title among his later books).
Received News World International Lifetime Achievement Award
Award given in 2003 recognizing his long career in broadcasting (mentioned in biographical summaries).
Appeared in documentary 'Outfoxed'
Featured in Robert Greenwald's film criticizing alleged biased practices at Fox News.
Wife Betsy died of cancer
Mary Elizabeth 'Betsy' Maxwell Cronkite died after almost 65 years of marriage.
Received NASA's Ambassador of Exploration Award (non-astronaut)
Became the first non-astronaut recipient of NASA's Ambassador of Exploration award.
Diagnosed with cerebrovascular disease (reported later)
Health declined in mid‑2000s; cerebrovascular disease reported after wife's death and before his death in 2009.
Died in New York City
Walter Cronkite died at his home in New York City; memorial service held in New York and private funeral in Kansas City.
Key Achievement Ages
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