Product ID: 1940RNNE
Control Number: 7497932
1940 Radio News 179 Episodes
1940 Radio News is a remarkable archive of authentic radio news broadcasts from a year that marked the deepening of global conflict and the growing realization in the United States that war abroad could soon reach American shores. These preserved recordings capture the pace and power of radio journalism during a time of dramatic world events, offering listeners today a vivid sense of how history was experienced in real time. With Europe engulfed in war, and political tensions rising at home, 1940 Radio News documents the evolution of public awareness and international engagement in the months before America’s direct involvement in World War II.
This collection features actual news reports, commentaries, and bulletins broadcast over major American radio networks, providing an invaluable aural chronicle of one of the most consequential years of the 20th century.
The Stars
The broadcasts in 1940 Radio News feature legendary figures in early broadcast journalism, including H.V. Kaltenborn, Edward R. Murrow, and Lowell Thomas. Murrow’s live reports from London during the Blitz became defining moments in the history of radio, as his calm voice conveyed the reality of war with immediacy and emotion.
Other prominent announcers and commentators — some anonymous, others tied to national radio networks like CBS and NBC — provided coverage of both foreign affairs and domestic developments, delivering the news with authority and clarity.
Key Dates
• All news reports originate from throughout 1940, a year dominated by major events such as:
– The Battle of Britain and the sustained German bombing of London.
– The fall of France to Nazi Germany in June 1940.
– Winston Churchill’s rise to Prime Minister and his historic speeches.
– President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s third-term campaign and re-election in November.
– Growing debates in the U.S. over neutrality, conscription, and aid to Allies, including the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 (the first peacetime draft).
– The formation of the Axis alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Other Information
The tone of the 1940 Radio News broadcasts ranges from urgent and somber to analytical and patriotic. Many programs feature breaking news bulletins, battlefield updates, and diplomatic analysis, reflecting the rapid pace of global developments. Domestically, the broadcasts reveal a nation cautiously watching the war unfold, wrestling with isolationism versus international responsibility.
This year also marked the emergence of radio as a trusted primary source of information for the American public. For millions of listeners, the radio became a direct line to the world’s most pressing stories — a role that shaped both public opinion and national policy in the months leading up to Pearl Harbor.
Unlike dramatized programs of the era, 1940 Radio News offers raw, real-time journalism, with few frills and an emphasis on fact-based reporting. It serves today as a critical historical document, preserving not just the news of the day, but the voices, delivery styles, and worldview of an America on the threshold of war.
Today, 1940 Radio News is essential listening for historians, educators, and enthusiasts of radio history. It remains one of the most immersive ways to experience the global turmoil, national debates, and media landscape of a world in flux.
This collection comes preloaded on a USB stick, allowing you to easily transfer all episodes to the device of your choice. Enjoy seamless playback a perfect blend of vintage charm and modern convenience.
Suggested Retail Price: $24.99
Mice Price: $19.49
Length: 25
Width: 179
Weight: 0.0500 pounds
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