"That's the Way It Is:" Cronkite First Anchored "CBS Evening News" 50 Years Ago

April 16, 1962: Walter Cronkite succeeds Douglas Edwards as anchor of CBS Evening News. The original 15-minute broadcast was titled Walter Cronkite with the News and was renamed and expanded to 30 minutes in 1963. Cronkite served as both managing editor and anchor of the program until 1981 and reported on countless historical moments over the years, including Apollo 11's Moon Landing, JFK's assassination, the escalating war in Vietnam, and Watergate.

Cronkite on becoming anchor of CBS Evening News and JFK's appearance on the first half-hour broadcast:

Footage of Cronkite announcing the death of President Kennedy:

Cronkite on reporting JFK's death:

Cronkite on his signature sign-off, "That's the way it is:"

Watch Walter Cronkite's full Archive interview.