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Complete Broadcast Day - Pearl Harbor

1941 · 18 episodes · 236 listens

Complete Broadcast Day - Pearl Harbor is a collection of old-time radio recordings that capture the events of December 7, 1941, the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and brought the United States into World War II. This compilation features live news bulletins, commentary, and reactions from various radio networks as the nation grappled with the shocking and devastating surprise attack. Listeners are transported back in time, experiencing the chaos and uncertainty of that fateful day through the voices and perspectives of those who lived through it.

It's not a complete broadcast day, like I added for D-Day, but you will hear news of the Pearl Harbor attack, as it happened throughout the day - the actual breaking news, and eyewitness accounts.

The collection provides a unique and immersive historical perspective, allowing modern audiences to witness the unfolding of one of the most significant events in American history.

The recordings offer a raw and immediate account of the attack, as well as the immediate aftermath and the nation’s response, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous “Day of Infamy” speech delivered to Congress the following day.

The Stars

While there are no regular stars featured in this collection, the recordings include the voices of prominent historical figures and journalists who were reporting on the events as they unfolded. Listeners will hear the commentary and analysis of renowned figures such as Upton Close, a respected historian and author, as well as the reporting of CBS correspondents like John Daly and Albert Warner.

The collection also features the address by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who spoke to the nation during her regular Sunday evening radio program.

Key Dates

  • The Complete Broadcast Day - Pearl Harbor collection covers the events of December 7, 1941, the day the Japanese launched their surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
  • The recordings begin with the initial news bulletins and continue through the day, capturing the evolving situation and the nation’s response.
  • The collection also includes President Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” speech, which he delivered to a joint session of Congress on December 8, 1941, the day after the attack.

Other Information

The Complete Broadcast Day - Pearl Harbor collection is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of World War II and the pivotal moment when the United States entered the conflict. The recordings provide a unique and immersive listening experience, allowing listeners to step back in time and witness the events as they unfolded through the lens of the radio broadcasts.

The collection is part of a larger series of “Complete Broadcast Day” recordings, which also includes collections covering other significant historical events, such as the Complete Day At WJSV September 21st, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland and the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944. These collections offer a rare and compelling glimpse into the past, preserving the voices and perspectives of those who lived through these momentous occasions.

The Complete Broadcast Day - Pearl Harbor collection is a must-listen for anyone with an interest in old-time radio, World War II history, or the power of live, immediate reporting in the face of a national crisis.

It is a testament to the enduring impact of radio as a medium and a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of the American people in the face of adversity.

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Episodes

A news bulletin announcing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during a football game between the Brooklyn…
0:13
Ten minutes into a news broadcast, the Japanese struck Manila. CBS correspondent Ford Wilkins was there, but was cut…
The Parker Family was a soap opera about Richard Parker, a teenage boy growing up in a small midwestern town, and his…
From the NBC Newsroom in New York, the first bulletin came about the attack on Pearl Harbor. "President Roosevelt said…
On the evening of 7th December 1941, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt addressed the Pearl Harbor attack on her weekly radio…
0:53
This newsreel depicts the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, reported by the BBC, and featuring Washington's…
"John Daly , was calling Oahu 'Oh-ha-hu', recalled Raultston. Radio commentators such as Harry Von Zell, Fulton Lewis…
A news bulletin announcing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during a football game between the Brooklyn…
In the radio show which simulated visits to New York night clubs, the top eight tunes of the week (a ranking based on…
A newsreel featuring CBS analysis of the attack on Pearl Harbor and Manila.
29:11
A sermon from Reverend James Gillis.
14:54
"President Roosevelt and the Cabinet face the most momentous day in American history, since Woodrow Wilson declared war…
A mysterious lodger has just rented rooms at Mrs Warren's lodging house. She is frightened by this strange individual,…
There were attempts to contact Honolulu but the communications problems were too overwhelming. In fact, no live report…
Alvar Lidell was a BBC radio announcer and newsreader. During the Second World War his distinctive voice became…
Dec 7, 1941 · 0:31
From the NBC Newsroom in New York, the first bulletin came about the attack on Pearl Harbor. "President Roosevelt said…
Dec 7, 1941 · 14:11
This sound recording captures a KGU newsman's report from a rooftop in Honolulu to the National Broadcasting Company…
Dec 7, 1941 · 6:17
At CBS News in New York, John Charles Daly was making final preparations for the regular 2:30 broadcast of The World…
Ned, your old-time-radio guide
Ned · your guide to the archive

If Complete Broadcast Day - Pearl Harbor was your cup of tea, pull up a chair — here's where I'd point you next.

Complete Broadcast Day - D-Day 6th June 1944
Both are complete archived radio broadcast days capturing America's response to pivotal World War II events.
Complete day at WJSV - 21st Sept 1939
All three preserve radio as it actually sounded on historically significant days, forming a documentary record.
News Broadcasts
Both preserve original radio news coverage of World War II's most significant events.