Cronkite to Successors: "Hang in There"

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…