Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×

KDKA, Where It All Began

Election Day is also legacy station’s anniversary

Not to be lost in the hubbub of election day is the fact that Nov. 2 also represents the “birthday” of radio station KDKA and thus, for many people, the birthday of commercial radio as we know it.

On Nov. 2, 2010, the Pittsburgh AM with the famous call sign turns 90.

To celebrate, the CBS station will be holding festivities Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 2. These will include an open house, historical slide shows and, of course, plenty of on-air (and streaming) celebration. Former and current KDKA personalities will participate. Some events will be held at the Sen. John Heinz History Center.

KDKA, considered the first commercial station, went on the air to report election results in 1920. It also is one of four grandfathered “K” stations east of the Mississippi River.

The station website has good archival material including listener memories, photos and audio including content from the 50th, 65th and 80th anniversaries.

Close