"Uncle" Walter Cronkite Dies at Age 92

Posted July 17, 2009, 8:44 pm in News


Walter Cronkite, one of America's most beloved and well-known journalists, died on July 17, 2009, at the age of 92. Remembered for his coverage of some of the biggest stories in history, Cronkite was often considered a voice of calm during disaster.

As anchor of "CBS News With Walter Cronkite" from 1962 to 1981, Cronkite informed millions of viewers about the Cuban missile crisis, the assassinations of John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr as well as the Watergate scandal and the Apollo moon landing.


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In fact, the only time "the most trusted man in America" found himself speechless during live television coverage was when astronaut Neil Armstrong first stepped onto the moon's surface. Another memorable moment in his career came in 1963, when Cronkite informed Americans about the death of President Kennedy. He paused to regain his composure while delivering the story, a marked difference from his just-the-facts style.

Cronkite started his career as a newspaper reporter, later moving to radio, the United Press wire service and finally, television. He retired from the evening news in 1981 and spent time traveling, writing, and even opening his own production company. In recent years, he wrote a syndicated column and contributed to The Huffington Post blog.

Cronkite died at his home in New York after battling a disease for several years, according to his family.


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