The Media and the Economics of Sport Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Media and the Economics of Sport - Essay Example In addition the sports, culture and the media tends to represents entrenched and a taken for granted feature of the concept of late capitalism. There is no or little evidence that states that the blend of sports and media along with culture and the growth and emergence of new media would slow or decline in the future (Scherer, n.d, p. 84). During the nineteen century sports and media had become mass phenomena and therefore the two, sports and media have been parallel over the years. There exists a mutual relationship in between the two factors. However today’s in the modern world sports and media complex are a result of social developments and new technology. The system was developed through television as a means of conveyor of exhibition and exposure. With the commercialization of the television along with the growing competition from the audiences in new media have played a crucial role in enhancing the new media for sports. The appeal of sports has become so significant tha t it tends to fuel the changes which take place within the social institution such as journalism and broadcasting. Thus the value of sports has helped shape the structure and practice of media and similarly media facilitates the reformation of sports. It was in Britain that the relationship between media and sports was first developed. Media needs Sports Modern sports and the media are both multibillion businesses. Elite sports functions require mass media in order to underwrite and publicize them accordingly. The huge market of sport along with the equipment and merchandise to a very large extend is sustained by the media and its 24/7 sports coverage along with the economic infrastructure of the media which depends largely on the sports in order to make it large, create loyal readers, listeners, interactive consumers and also viewers. But the dynamics of synergy between sports and media is not without problems. The media has an influence only in ways how events are staged but also time of taking place. The media decides on the time and lace of an event to take place. When the Olympics sprinters started to run the race at 5 in the morning so that the people of New York could watch them in prime time which took place in the summer games in South Korea in the year 1988. This shows that the media have clearly exercised a certain degree of influence over sports which was not possible or unthinkable in the olden days. Thus the economic interest of media is evident from the advertisement which keeps on interrupting the event covered by television networks. But there are occasional backlash between sports and media. Some athletes sometimes accuse the media in particularly the television for taking things out of sports and altering the rules, structure and ethos. Corporate sponsorship is one of the key areas where the brand value of the sports is central to the relationship between sports and media. This has helped the sports organization along with the competitions t o be funded in the process of expanding identification, brand recognition and also loyalty from the sponsors. Thus the key to commercialization of sports with the help of celebrity

Appreciating a Gothic Cathedral: Milan Cathedral Essay -- Architecture

All over the world people still come to admire the beauty of European cathedrals. Many of the cathedrals are fragile due to age, neglect, pollution, and insufficient funds available to restore these historical and beautiful buildings. Nevertheless, visitors to these architectural masterpieces are fascinated by the design and structure of these churches. The cathedral builders using their own ingenuity, expertise, and limited resources were able to defy the laws of gravity and time. (Icher 30) There were two main types of architecture during the middle ages, the Romanesque style and the Gothic style. The Romanesque period took place approximately between 1096 and 1270 (the eleventh and twelfth centuries) and the Gothic period took place approximately between 1150 and 1450 (the thirteenth through the fifteenth centuries) (Bersson 383). Evidence of both styles of architecture emerged throughout Europe. The political landscape had changed and the Christian church provided a measure of unity throughout the centuries of this medieval era (Stalley 13). The Romanesque period began a time when the interest in religion intensified. The church was a place that all people could belong to regardless of their status. It was during these times that big churches called cathedrals began to emerge. The age of the Crusades took place emphasizing the need for places of worship and a place for the community to gather together. People sought the churches not only to see the relics housed in the church brought back from the Holy Lands by the Crusades but also to seek redemption as well. This influx of seekers brought in money to help then pay for the churches. This allowed for the emergence of new towns, the exchange of goods and services, which ev... ...stinations. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. . Icher, Francois. Building the Great Cathedrals. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1998. Print. "Italian Gothic." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Web. 22 Nov. 2010 . . Keyes, Zachariah. Personal Interview. Denise Keyes. 21 Nov. 2010. Stalley, Roger. Early Medieval Architecture. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. Print. Tyler, Ellen. "Milan Cathedral - Symbolizing the Gothic Structure." 14 May 2010. Ezine Articles. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. . Wilson, Christopher. The Gothic Cathedral: The Architecture of the Great Church. New York: Thames & Hudson, 1990. Print.

Impact World War Two Had on Trinidad

Arielle Spann 00033827 History 210 CRN 35943 How has World War II impacted on Trinidad and Tobago? This essay explores the impact of World War II on the development of Trinidad and Tobago. World War II played a very important role in the development of Trinidad and Tobago in terms of social, cultural, economic and political changes. World War II began in the year 1939 and continued to the year of 1945 in which the Allies that consisted of Britain, Soviet Union and the US, defeated the Axis powers that included Germany, Italy and Japan.World War II began in September of 1939 when Britain and France declared war on Germany following the Germany's invasion of Poland. Although the outbreak of war was triggered by Germany's invasion of Poland, the causes of the war were more complex. Based on my research there were four main reasons why there was a World War II. These include that of the Treaty of Versailles. In 1919, Lloyd George of England, Orlando of Italy, Clemenceau of France and Woo drow Wilson from the US met to discuss how Germany would pay for the damages that World War I had caused.The German people were very unhappy about the treaty and thought that it was too harsh. They then voted for a man who would have ripped the treaty apart. This led to the second reason which was Adolf Hitler’s action (see figure 1). Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in January 1933. Almost immediately he began secretly building up Germany's army and weapons. In 1934 he had increased the size of the army; he began building warships and created a German air force. The third reason was the Failure of Appeasement.Appeasement meant giving into someone, provided their demands are seen as reasonable. During the 1930s, many politicians in both Britain and France came to see that the terms of the Treaty of Versailles had placed many restrictions on Germany that were unfair. The fourth reason was the Failure of the League of Nations. The League of Nations was an international organisation set up in 1919 to help keep world peace. This failed due to a number of reasons: not all countries had joined, it had no power, no army and it was unable to act quickly. FIGURE 1 http://ahitler. reyfalcon. us/ FIGURE 1 http://ahitler. greyfalcon. us/ Before World War II had occurred, Trinidad and Tobago faced an unprecedented situation. It was the time of the great depression. The great depression was a time where a worldwide economic downturn had begun. It started in 1929 and lasted until about 1939. This caused many problems in Trinidad and Tobago. Working conditions had become extremely difficult where slaves had to work long hours and little pay. Workers where paid 35cents a day, this proved to have being insufficient because of the climbing inflation rates.Unemployment had reached an enormous height of 20%. At this time, health conditions were very poor. Infant mortality rate had reached 127 persons per thousand and the hookworm epidemic had infected close to 80% of the population in rural communities. Malaria had become prevalent due to the disease carried on the female mosquito. Remember, working condition was unfair and little money was paid. This led to extensive malnutrition in the population because money paid was not enough to buy the required food for proper health. Poor housing conditions were also prevalent.Worker houses had become extensively bad in quality and not easy to live in. The houses on the sugar estates and oilfields were said to be dilapidated and lacked sanitary conditions. This meant that the houses were in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect. Toilets, washing facilities, changing rooms and a place for rest were inadequate. This led to the formation of the Shanty Town in Sea Lots located in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The struggle for survival had led to the labour riots of 1937, which was led by Grenadian born Tubal Uriah â€Å"Buzz† Butler.The labour riots of 1937 led to the establishment of the Moyne Commission, which was set up to deal with the grievances of the workers about their working conditions and poor living conditions. The Moyne Commission found that Trinidad workers lived in inhumane conditions and made recommendations on what should be done. This was established in the year 1938 by Lord Moyne and completed its report in 1940. It was very critical of the British colonial system in the Caribbean. The Moyne commission recommended housing construction, agricultural iversification, more representative government for the islands, and the promotion of a middle class in preparation for eventual self-government. Although the Moyne Commission's findings were not made public until after World War II, some of its recommendations were put into effect under the Colonial Development Welfare Act of 1940. Although World War II did not hit Trinidad directly, it showed signs of the impact that led to the further development of Trinidad. Impacts in the social, cultural, pol itical and economic were felt nationwide.Historians argued that World War II led to a modern Trinidad; hence there were many different types of people who inhabited sweet Trinidad. Trinidad played an important role in the war: it was the convoy assembly point for the dispatch of tankers from the Caribbean oil ports across the Atlantic to North America and Europe (A history of modern Trinidad 1783-1962, Bridget Brereton, pg. 191). The first impact I will be writing about is the social impact on the development of Trinidad and Tobago.The social impact has to do with how society was impacted or changed due to further development of Trinidad and Tobago and World War II. World War II had led to the destruction of the myth of white supremacy. The US occupation demolished this myth of white supremacy because at this time, white men were seen doing manual labour and were seen displaying behaviours unfit to the white people. By this, I mean, the white men were seen engaging in drunken behavi ours. During this time, a lot of people moved to Trinidad and because of this, the white men had taken the roles of a field worker.The rich people and Trinidadians, at this time would have gone through a period of cognitive dissonance because they were not accustomed to seeing people of their same colour doing manual labour and behaving like hooligans. They laughed and mocked the drunken or bad behaviours of the sailors. One person that aided in the demolition of this white supremacy myth was named Ulric Cross. Ulric Cross was born in the year 1917. He was of African descent (see figure 2) and because of his involvement in World War II, his achievements led to the breakdown of this myth.In 1941, Ulric Cross had made a decision to join the Royal Air Force (see figure 3), which was one of the branches of the army, fighting in the war. He had performed greatly to such an extent that he soon after decided to join another branch of the same army. This branch was known as the elite pathfi nder squadron of Mosquito Bombers. Because of his high achievements, Ulric Cross was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Service Order. FIGURE 2 http://francesannesolomon. net/in-development/ulric-cross/ FIGURE 2 http://francesannesolomon. net/in-development/ulric-cross/What was the cultural impact on the development of Trinidad and Tobago during World War II? First I will be dealing with the entertainment industry. In 1941-1945 the carnival celebrations were banned. This was due to the unruly behaviours of individuals and some feared of possible uprising. Security measures also led to the banning of carnival between these four years. During this time, many patrons had remained in their backyards experimenting on metal instruments with the making of tins and pans. This was done to help in the making of instrument s that could play different notes and popular tunes.From this process, steel pans were manufactured into being. It was done by Winston â€Å"Spree † Simon and Neville Jules, where they would use biscuit pans and margarine pans, and tune it to the notes of music. In 1946 an oil drum was used and experimented on, and it was found that it could produce a concave pan (see figure 4). It was founded by someone by the name of Elliot â€Å"Elle† Mannette. Soon after, steel pan had become an integral part of the carnival celebrations. At this time were carnival was banned, indoor entertainment had bloomed.This was because people were no longer allowed or given permission to parade in the streets, so indoor entertainment were one of the few things that was accepted for leisure. FIGURE 3 http://www. topnews. in/asianorigin-raf-medic-sues-british-military-paki-and-terrorist-jibe-cover-2213305 FIGURE 3 http://www. topnews. in/asianorigin-raf-medic-sues-british-military-paki-and-terrorist-jibe-cover-2213305 The appearance of most individual give rise to the term â€Å"saga-boy†. This is simply a person that was said to b e a playboy. It is a person who dresses with extreme style and very fashion forward.Their hairstyle would be one of a side part and muff, the style of dress was totally different. The saga-boy’s apparel was one of a high-waist pants, wide legged with a tight cuff at the bottom, trousers and a long coat with lapels. Lapels are the part on each side of a coat or jacket immediately below the collar which is folded back on either FIGURE 4 http://www. forumgarden. com/forums/fashion-clothing/56381-mens-vintage-roars-life-zoot-suit-cost-much-bmw. html FIGURE 4 http://www. forumgarden. com/forums/fashion-clothing/56381-mens-vintage-roars-life-zoot-suit-cost-much-bmw. html side of the front opening.These were known as zoot suits (see figure 4). One of the cultural impacts was the rise of prostitution. Prostitution is the practice or occupation of engaging in sex with someone for payment. It is also defined by the oxford dictionary as â€Å"the corrupt use of one's talents for person al or financial gain. † World War II had led to this rise in prostitution because of the large amounts of individual in uniform that maintain money and was willing to exchange it for sex or anything of the sexual nature. In 1945, British and Canadian men were around 33,640 men in uniform and the US had about 70,800 men in uniform.Sexual behaviours were a great means of relaxation. Many patrons were involved in the exchange of money for sex and this led to a massive increase of sexually transmitted diseases. Most common were those of gonorrhoea and syphilis. Statistics show that new cases of gonorrhoea rose from about 573 in the year 1940 to about 3,445 in the year 1941. This shows that the amount of new cases of gonorrhoea was multiplied by around six (6) times the original amount, all within twelve months. Although these diseases were becoming an epidemic in society, it gave way for calypsos by artists such as The Mighty Sparrow and Lord Invader.One of the popular calypso son gs by Lord Invader called the Yankee Dollar. This song simply portrays how the Yankees come to Trinidad and the girls and mothers (prostitutes) like them because they paid them more money and treated them better. Another popular calypso that was sung by the Mighty Sparrow was called Jean and Danah. This song portrays basically the same meaning as the song Yankee Dollar. It portrays women working on a corner, selling their bodies for money and if they are broke, you could buy sex at a cheaper rate. World War II also impacted Trinidad with the introduction of gambling and crime.Gambling dens were established and this in return gave favour to crime. Boysie Singh was one of the more prevalent mobsters that reigned over Trinidad. In the 1940’s, Boysie Singh had established gambling clubs and houses were men can visit prostitutes in Queens Street located in Port of Spain. He had a reputation of murdering around 400 persons in cold blood. His crimes of gang and drug related murders were reported almost daily in the national press. Yet, it’s said that Boysie Singh once held the world record for the number of murders he was believed to have committed.During this period of World War II, mass amounts of immigration occurred. Immigration was the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country. Immigrants came from Barbados, Grenada and Europe. Many from Europe were fleeing or running away from cities such as Hans, Stechers and Tauchers. The reason they came to Trinidad was based on the liberal immigration policy. This states that it was ok for people to come and stay in Trinidad based on work. If you were employed as a worker in Trinidad, you were allowed to stay and live. What was the economic impact on the development of Trinidad and Tobago during World War II?The first economic impact I would be discussing is the rate of employment. During this period of war, there was a boom in employment. Workers left their field work, cocoa and sugar to becom e employed on the bases for the army. The unemployment rate had decrease to about 80% due to the construction of the bases. Around 30,000 individuals were employed which added up to be about 20% of the workers in Trinidad. This employment boom due to the base led to a mass shortage in the sugar industry. In 1939, it was recorded that the amount of workers had accumulated to about 30,000.This soon decreased with a count of 18,000 workers in the year 1943. In next year of 1944, the work population had gone back up to 21,000 workers in the sugar industry. Many workers left their former jobs to work at the bases because of the benefits. It was seen that at the base, it was cleaner and the wages were more attractive. Wages were paid around 2s. Per day and were at least doubled for workers at the base. During World War II many of the young bankers were enlisted in the Canadian and British armed forces and had to go for the call of duty. This was a problem for banks because now, there were shortages in staff.They asked themselves how they would fill the gap of the shortage. One brilliant person must have suggested hiring female workers. This is how females began to work, but before this time, females were not allowed to work because it was not part of the role as a woman in society. So to fill the gap, female workers were hired but, they were not seen. The employers would have placed them in the back ground or back offices where no one could have seen them. In 1945, during the time of war, RBC consisted approximately 71% of staff members were females. Trade had also shifted in a different direction.USA became the trading partner with Trinidad because the U-boat threat had become unreliable with the supplies needed. Due to this, Britain was replaced. The U-boat threat were said to be German submarines, or U-Boats, that threatened Canadian merchant ships carrying troops and supplies to Britain. Britain’s war efforts depended on this support. Before World War II (1936-1939) the UK had represented 37% of the imports and USA had 34% of the imports in Trinidad. In the time of World War II (1944), the UK represented a mere 11% of imports and the USA had climbed to a height of 59% of the imports in Trinidad.The import/export trade had become unreliable and this made an impact on the food situation. At this time food supplies had become scarce and there was a need for something to be done. A system of food rationing had begun to take effect in Trinidad because of its scarcity. Food rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services. Rationing controls the size of the ration that one's allotted portion of the resources being distributed on a particular day or at a particular time. Although the food rationing was introduce, the import bill had increase from the amount of 34. million in the years 1939 to an overwhelming 40 million in the year 1940. This was said to be a sign of increased economic activity. It was a good thing Trinidad produced their own food and crops as this helped them to maintain the society during this time. Property prices and rent payments had gone up during the years of the war. In the years 1939-1945, rent had increased from $80. 00 to $500. 00 per month and the cheaper places to stay like flat houses had also increased from $25. 00 to $80. 00. This, I think was due to the high level of immigration that was taking place.Another factor that could have led to this was the Yankees that would come to Trinidad to spend holidays and go again. Another economic impact World War II had on the development of Trinidad was the transfer of technology. World War II played a very important role in the transferring of new technologies and skills into Trinidad. The Yankees had bought with them bulldozers that would help with work. Bulldozes would have done the same amount of work men would take weeks to complete in a matter of minutes. Because of the new technologies and skills, the constr uction industry was never the same again.Finally! What was the political impact on the development of Trinidad and Tobago during World War II? World War II led to decolonization. Decolonization is the action of changing from colonial to an independent status. After World War II, Britain had become bankrupt and began to promote self- government in the Commonwealth. Commonwealth means an independent country. Eric Williams and Norman Manley agreed for a federation as a means of gaining independence. Because of this, the British West Indies (BWI) federation was established.In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Eric Williams and Norman Manley sought for self- determination as independent states. In conclusion, this essay looked at the impacts of World War II on the development of Trinidad and Tobago. Details were discussed about the social, economic, political and cultural impacts that shaped Trinidad into the place where we live in today. Although Trinidad was not directly hit during World War II, significant research has shown the extent to which Trinidad was impacted. Bibliography (MLA format) Brereton, Bridget.A history of modern Trinidad, 1783-1962. Kingston, Jamaica: Heinemann, 1981. Print. Douglas, Sean. â€Å"ULRIC CROSS – BIOGRAPHY. † the Trinidad & Tobago Web Directory. N. p. , n. d. Web. 11 July 2012. . â€Å"History | Oilfields Workers' Trade Union. † Oilfields Workers' Trade Union. N. p. , n. d. Web. 10 July 2012. . Wg Nai, Sean. â€Å"The effects of the second World War on Trinidad and Tobago. † History 2010. COSTAATT. L4, Trinidad. 26 June 2012. Class lecture.

Biography of Walter Cronkite, Journalist and Anchorman

Walter Cronkite was a journalist who defined the role of network anchorman during the decades when television news rose from being the  neglected stepchild of radio to a dominant form of journalism. Cronkite became a legendary figure and was often called the most trusted man in America. Fast Facts: Walter Cronkite Known For: Broadcast journalist and anchorman who covered key moments in American historyAlso Known As: The Most Trusted Man in AmericaBorn: December 4, 1916 in  St. Joseph, MissouriDied: July 17, 2009 in New York City, New YorkEducation: University of Texas at AustinSelected Awards: Presidential Medal of Freedom, NASAs Ambassador of Exploration Award, Four Freedoms Award for the Freedom of SpeechNotable Quote: And thats the way it is. Originally a print reporter who excelled as a battlefield correspondent during  World War II, Cronkite developed a skill for reporting and telling a story which he brought to the embryonic medium of television. As Americans began receiving much of their news from television, Cronkite was  a familiar face in living rooms across the country. During his career Cronkite covered combat up close, putting himself at risk on a number of occasions. In less dangerous assignments he interviewed presidents and foreign leaders, and covered critical events from the  McCarthy era  to the early 1980s. For a generation of Americans, Cronkite provided a highly credible voice and a steady and calm manner during tumultuous times. Viewers related to him, and to his standard closing line at the end of each broadcast: And thats the way it is. Early Life Walter Cronkite was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, on December 4, 1916. The family moved to Texas when Cronkite was a child, and he became interested in journalism during high school. While attending the University of Texas,  he worked for two years part-time for the Houston Post newspaper, and after leaving college he took a variety of jobs at newspapers and radio stations. In 1939, he was hired to be a war correspondent by the United Press wire service. As World War II intensified, the newly married Cronkite departed for Europe to cover the conflict. Formative Experience: World War II By 1942, Cronkite was based in England, sending dispatches back to American newspapers. He was invited into a special program with the U.S. Army Air Force to train journalists to fly aboard bombers. After learning basic skills, including firing the airplanes machine guns, Cronkite flew aboard an Eighth Air Force B-17 on a bombing mission over Germany. The mission turned out to be extremely dangerous. A correspondent from the New York Times, Robert P. Post, who was flying  on another B-17 during the same mission, was killed when the bomber was shot down. (Andy Rooney, a correspondent for Stars and Stripes and a future CBS News colleague of Cronkite, also flew on the mission and, like Cronkite, made it back to England safely.) Cronkite wrote a vivid dispatch about the bombing mission which ran in a number of American newspapers. In the New York Times of February 27, 1943, Cronkites story appeared under the headline Hell 26,000 Feet Up. On June 6, 1944, Cronkite observed the D-Day beach assaults from a military plane. In September 1944, Cronkite covered the airborne invasion of Holland in Operation Market Garden by landing in a glider with paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division. Cronkite covered the fighting in Holland for weeks, often putting himself at considerable risk. At the end of 1944, Cronkite covered the German offensive that turned into the Battle of the Bulge. In the spring of 1945, he covered the end of the war. Given his wartime experiences, he probably could have gotten a contract to write a book, but he chose to keep his job at United Press as a correspondent. In 1946, he covered the Nuremberg Trials, and following that he opened a United Press bureau in Moscow.   In 1948. Cronkite was back in the United States. He and his wife had their first child in November 1948. After years of travel, Cronkite began gravitating to a more settled life, and began to seriously think about jumping from print journalism to broadcasting. Early TV News In 1949 Cronkite began working for CBS Radio, based in Washington, D.C. He covered the government; a focus of his job was to broadcast reports to stations located in the Midwest. His assignments were not very glamorous, and tended to focus on agricultural policy of interest to listeners in the heartland. When the Korean War began in 1950, Cronkite wanted to return to his role as  an overseas correspondent. But he found a niche in Washington, delivering news about the conflict on local television, illustrating troop movements by drawing lines on a map. His wartime experience seemed to give him a certain confidence on the air, and viewers related to him. At that time, TV news was in its infancy, and many influential radio broadcasters, including even Edward R. Murrow, the legendary star  newsman of CBS Radio, believed television would be a passing fad. Cronkite, however, developed a feel for the medium, and his career took off. He was essentially pioneering the presentation of news on television, while also dabbling in interviews (once taking a tour of the White House with President Harry S. Truman) and even filling in as the host of a popular game show, Its News to Me. The Most Trusted Man in America In 1952, Cronkite and others at CBS put serious effort into presenting, live on the air, the proceedings of both major party political conventions from Chicago. Before the conventions, CBS even offered classes for politicians to learn how to appear on television. Cronkite was the teacher, giving points on speaking and facing the camera. One of his students was a Massachusetts congressman, John F. Kennedy. On election night in 1952, Cronkite anchored CBS News coverage live from a studio at Grand Central Station in New York City. Sharing the duties with Cronkite was a computer, Univac, which Cronkite introduced as an electronic brain that would help tally votes. The computer mostly malfunctioned during the broadcast, but Cronkite kept the show moving along.  CBS executives came to recognize Cronkite as something of a star. To viewers across America, Cronkite was becoming an authoritative voice. In fact, he became known as the most trusted man in America. Throughout the 1950s, Cronkite reported regularly on CBS News programs. He developed an early interest in Americas early space program, reading anything he could find about newly developed missiles and plans to launch astronauts into space. In 1960, Cronkite seemed to be everywhere, covering the political conventions and serving as one of the journalists asking questions at the final Kennedy-Nixon debate. On April 16, 1962, Cronkite began anchoring the CBS Evening News, a position he would hold until he chose to retire in 1981. Cronkite made sure he wasnt merely the anchorman, but the managing editor of the newscast. During his tenure, the broadcast expanded from 15 minutes to a half-hour. On the first program of the expanded format, Cronkite interviewed President Kennedy on the lawn of the Kennedy family house at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. The interview, conducted on Labor Day 1963, was historically important as the president seemed to be adjusting his policy on Vietnam. It would be one of the last interviews with Kennedy before his death less than three months later. Reporting on Key Moments in American History On the afternoon of November 22, 1963, Cronkite was working in the CBS newsroom in New York City when bells indicating urgent bulletins began ringing on teletype machines. The first reports of a shooting near the presidents motorcade in Dallas were being transmitted via wire services. The first bulletin of the shooting broadcast by CBS News was voice-only, as it took time to set up a camera. As soon as it was possible, Cronkite appeared live on the air. He gave updates on the shocking news as it arrived. Nearly losing his composure, Cronkite made the grim announcement that President Kennedy had died from his wounds. Cronkite stayed on the air for hours, anchoring the coverage of the assassination. He spent many hours on the air in the following days, as Americans engaged in a new sort of mourning ritual, one conducted via the medium of television. In the following years, Cronkite would deliver news about the Civil Rights Movement, the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, riots in American cities, and the Vietnam War. After visiting Vietnam in early 1968  and witnessing the violence unleashed in the Tet Offensive, Cronkite returned to America and delivered a rare editorial opinion. In a commentary delivered on CBS, he said that, based on his reporting, the war was a stalemate and a negotiated end should be sought. It was later reported that President Lyndon Johnson was shaken to hear Cronkites assessment, and it influenced his decision not to seek a second term. One big story of the 1960s that Cronkite loved to cover was the space program. He anchored live broadcasts of rocket launches, from projects Mercury through Gemini and to the crowning achievement, Project Apollo. Many Americans learned how the rockets operated by watching Cronkite give basic lessons from his anchor desk. In an era before TV news could utilize advanced special effects, Cronkite, handling plastic models, demonstrated the maneuvers that were being performed in space. When Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969, a nationwide audience watched the grainy images on television. Many were tuned into CBS and Walter Cronkite, who famously admitted, after seeing Armstrong make his famous first step, Im speechless. Later Career Cronkite continued covering the news through the 1970s, anchoring events such as Watergate and the end of the Vietnam War. On a trip to the Middle East, he interviewed Egyptian president Sadat and Israeli prime minister Begin. Cronkite was given credit for inspiring the two men to meet and eventually forge a peace treaty between their countries. For many, the name Cronkite was synonymous with  the news. Bob Dylan, in a song on his 1975 album Desire, made a playful reference to him: I was sittin home alone one night in L.A.Watching old Cronkite on the seven oclock news... On Friday, March 6, 1981, Cronkite presented his final newscast as an anchorman. He chose to end his tenure as anchor with little fanfare. The New York Times reported that he had spent the day, as usual, preparing the newscast. In the following decades, Cronkite appeared often on television, at first doing specials for CBS, and later for PBS and CNN. He remained active, spending time with a wide circle of friends that came to include artist Andy Warhol and Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart. Cronkite also kept with his hobby of sailing in the waters around Marthas Vineyard, where he had long kept a vacation home. Cronkite died at the age of 92 on July 17, 2009. His death was front-page news across America. He is widely remembered as a legendary figure who created and embodied a golden age of television news. Sources Brinkley, Douglas. Cronkite. Harper Perennial, 2013.Martin, Douglas. â€Å"Walter Cronkite, 92, Dies; Trusted Voice of TV News.† New York Times, 17 July 2009, p. 1.Cronkite, Walter. Hell 26,000 Feet Up. New York Times, 17 February 1943, p. 5.