Cronkite to Successors: "Hang in There"

(CBS)  Almost exactly nine years ago, "CBS Evening News" Sunday anchor Russ Mitchell interviewed Walter Cronkite on the 50th anniversary of the start of his CBS News career.

Mitchell provided this remembrance, along with excerpts from that July, 2000 interview:

Mitchell: Can you believe it's been 50 years since you've joined CBS?

Cronkite: Almost impossible, seems like only yesterday.

From day one, Cronkite was creating broadcast news as we now know it. In fact, the word "anchorman" was coined for Walter Cronkite.

Cronkite: It was very primitive. I did not write a script for the broadcast in those days at all.

Mitchell: Really?

Cronkite: I had a black monitor, a big monitor up there television set and there would be 10 in the gate to count down the seconds: 10, 9, 8. I'd time it so I hit the film on time.

In a time before the Internet and instant news, Walter Cronkite brought the world's triumph and tragedies into our living rooms every night.

Mitchell: One of my first memories in life is Nov. 22 1963 when you announced that President Kennedy had died. Of all the stories you covered, of all the stories you reported, did that one affect you the most?

Cronkite: Yes it, with that particular emotion - emotion of deep sadness - yes, very definitely. There were other stories that I was pleased with, the emotion was just the opposite, the bright emotion - man landing on the moon successfully when I was somewhat doubtful that they would make it. But certainly as far as being deeply touched by a major tragedy, that was it.

Mitchell: I hope this is a fair question but, what are you most proud of in your 50 years at CBS?

Cronkite: Oh I think probably holding onto my integrity and perhaps passing on a little of that feeling about journalistic standards on to others that came with me and after me.

Mitchell: Do you have any advice for those of us who would like to celebrate our 50th anniversary at CBS News?

Cronkite: Hang in there. Hang in there…

[barbaram99]

I am 54. I never saw Walter Cronkite's face on TV. I knew his voice. That voice told the news,told the manned space flights. He used the 5 w and 1 h. I faced the TV as that was where his voice came from. I heard a reporter tell it as it as that what Walter was. I only* saw *him on TV. He came into our homes. It was apart of my child,teen and young adult years.
Pierre-Nadeau it was the death of our Preident and it was so sad I watched it for 4 day with my aunt and uncle. I just turnt 9 that Sep. I could not read and write and so the TV told me as a blind person alot thru audio. Walter was there.I only knew that President was killed and we as a nation was deeply sad. I like the news to be told as it happens. Walter taught us alot as we each watched him tell the news. He was human. There was 3 networks in America CBS,NBC and ABC. That was it. I have only them 3 on open air as I use rabbit ears.

[Pierre-Nadeau]

I am a Canadian citizen from Longueuil (Quebec)

It was 2 weeks before my 9th birthday. On a Friday where I did not went to school because I had a cold.

Since the Cable service was instaled a few months before, My mom was getting ready to watch "As the World Turns" when we heard Walter Cronkyte onnouced that President Kennedy was shot and confirmed his death minutes later.

If my memory is correct, M. Cronkyte stayed on the air until late in the evening. I wasent old enough to understand all the analysis but I realised that something important just happened.

Hearing the announcement of his death was like knowing the death on someone I used to know.

[keyingdemon]

I'm still mourning this man. I grew up watching Walter and compared to today's "sensation grabbing" journalists, he was a NEWSCASTER. He told you what, where, and when without all the asking "experts" and constant reviews that most news seems stuck on today. And it WAS news he covered, not just flashy headlines or gossip. When Walter Cronkite said "and that's the way it is" it WAS! Rest well, my friend, rest well. Your brand of "news anchoring" is gone but not (never!) forgotten.

[boscopuppy]

And now... for the rest of the news..-
Paul Harvey. And, that's the way it is..Good Night!!-Walter Cronkite

[skeezix06]

Reality check. Mr. Cronkite would never have succeeded in today's mainstream media because he would never have become the tabloid journalist that seems to be the hallmark of today's journalists. Reference: see ongoing reports on Michael Jackson's death for the most recent example.

[boscopuppy]

Ur a moron! He succeeded at the worst of times. You must be young and not understanding how bad things were. People..Americans..were being killed for speaking their minds in the USA. Women..Blacks..Minorities..were wanting EQUALITY. Kids..18 yr olds were dying in Vietnam. Men were landing on the Moon. Assassinations. It was crazy!! Collage Kids killed at Kent State(Ohio) by American Troops on USA soil. Mr. Cronkite was all about keeping us stable.

[boscopuppy]

I just watched 60 Minutes on Mr Cronkite. I am 50. He sucked the life out of me when he left the newsroom, yet I could watch him doing Specials. Thank God He was still there. Now he is gone, yet I realize he will never be gone. He told us the story of our lives in the 60s and 70s. It's on file. On tape...that kid is with us and on us forever. Made us expect more..demand more! I'm crying not because he died, but because my life will not be so enriched! It was like listening to the greatest teacher you ever had..every nite!! God Bless Mr. and Mrs. Cronkite!! Maybe I can buy you a drink when I get up there to God's bar!!

[belgerda]

The last great American hero. And that the way it is, Walter we are going to miss you!

[zora24]

Amazing how the Sunday Morning Show and all of CBS will not say the one thing that made Cronkite the person to watch and trust. He told the truth and was not bias like your favorite fake katie Couric who is a living joke. She is the tip of all your liars and cheats but the one that makes most people sick. Walter was to good a man to come out in public and tell us what he thought of CBS but I bet you know already. Your network is a sick disgusting joke. Let him rest in peace and stop all the crap your network could care less about. Your goal is ratings and that is the bottom line. Not all of us are stupid idiots ready to jump over the cliff because CBS says to do so. I am 57 and retired and not the idiot you take all the public to be.

[boscopuppy]

Lets not bash! Mr Cronkite would not approve!!