Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and legacy of Walter Cronkite — the American journalist known as “the most trusted man in America.” Read about his early life, career highlights, and inspiring quotes that still resonate today.

Introduction

Walter Cronkite (November 4, 1916 – July 17, 2009) stands among the most iconic figures in 20th-century journalism. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he became the face and voice of nightly news for millions of Americans. His calm, measured delivery, unpretentious style, and commitment to accuracy earned him the sobriquet “the most trusted man in America.”

More than just a news anchor, Cronkite embodied a certain ideal of what journalism should be — rigorous, humane, and grounded in public trust. In an era of tumultuous social change, political scandal, and technological transformation, he helped define how broadcast news could inform, comfort, and sometimes even influence the national conversation.

In this article, we’ll examine Cronkite’s life, his career milestones, his philosophy and personality, and his most memorable quotes — weaving a portrait of a man whose impact continues to echo across journalism and public life.

Early Life and Family

Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. was born on November 4, 1916, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the only child of Dr. Walter Leland Cronkite Sr., a dentist, and Helen Lena (née Fritsche).

Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, where Walter spent his early years.

Even as a child, Cronkite showed an inclination toward news and storytelling. At age 7, he sold Liberty magazine door to door; by 9, he was delivering newspapers. These early experiences instilled both a work ethic and a curiosity about the world that would shape his future vocation.

In Houston he attended elementary and junior high school (Lanier Junior High), then San Jacinto High School, where he edited the school newspaper.

Cronkite briefly enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin in 1933, where he worked on the student daily paper, The Daily Texan, and joined the Chi Phi fraternity.

Youth and Education

Though he left formal college early, Cronkite’s education was far from over. His formative years in Houston, along with his early forays into newspaper delivery and editing, gave him practical insight into news, printing, and public communication.

At the University of Texas, working for The Daily Texan exposed him to deadlines, writing under pressure, and balancing objectivity with clarity.

However, as economic pressures and ambition converged, Cronkite opted to leave academia behind to begin working in journalism full time. This hands-on approach became a hallmark of his career: learning by doing, absorbing the field from the ground up, and refining his voice through real experience rather than theory alone.

Career and Achievements

Early Years & War Correspondence

Cronkite’s journalism career began in the mid-1930s with newspaper reporting. By 1936–37, he had shifted into radio broadcasting (WKY, Oklahoma City) and then to the United Press International (UP) wire service.

When World War II erupted, Cronkite’s role expanded dramatically. He covered combat in North Africa and Europe, sometimes flying aboard bomber missions, participating with the “Writing 69th,” a group of journalists embedded in Allied air forces.

After the war, Cronkite was assigned to the Moscow bureau for United Press from 1946 to 1948, covering Soviet politics during the early Cold War.

Rise at CBS & Anchorman (1962–1981)

Cronkite joined CBS News (formally under Edward R. Murrow’s mentorship) and gradually rose through the ranks. CBS Evening News (initially Walter Cronkite with the News).

In his anchoring years, Cronkite covered virtually every major event of his time:

• John F. Kennedy’s assassination (1963): Cronkite narrated the evolving developments on live television, often considered a defining moment for TV news.

• The Vietnam War: In 1968, after years of coverage, he delivered an on-air editorial suggesting the war was stalemated and urging the U.S. to negotiate. That broadcast reportedly had political ripple effects, influencing public opinion and even President Lyndon Johnson’s decisions.

• The American space program: From Mercury through Apollo and into the Space Shuttle era, Cronkite’s vivid reportage connected the public to NASA’s triumphs and challenges. He famously exclaimed “Whew… boy” when Apollo 11 successfully landed on the moon.

• Watergate & Nixon resignation: Cronkite’s steady coverage gave structure to the national understanding of the scandal, the hearings, and ultimately Nixon’s resignation.

• Civil Rights and social upheaval: He reported on the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, the protests of the 1960s, and related political change.

His signature closing phrase — “And that’s the way it is,” followed by the date — became ingrained in American television culture. He would omit or adjust it when offering commentary rather than straight news.

Cronkite held the anchor chair until March 6, 1981, when he retired, at a time when CBS had a mandatory retirement policy for anchor roles.

Later Work & Honors

Retirement from the nightly desk did not end his public career. Cronkite continued working as a special correspondent for CBS, CNN, and NPR. He hosted documentary series (e.g. World War II with Walter Cronkite), narrated films, and appeared in cultural TV programs.

He was host of the Kennedy Center Honors for over two decades (1981–2002) and also narrated Spaceship Earth at Disney’s EPCOT, among other roles.

Cronkite’s awards and recognitions are numerous:

• Two Peabody Awards (for broadcasting excellence)

• George Polk Award, Emmy Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1981)

• First non-astronaut to receive NASA’s Ambassador of Exploration award

• Memberships in scholarly societies, induction into the Television Hall of Fame, Four Freedoms Award, etc.

• The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism (Arizona State University) and various awards named in his honor continue his legacy in journalism education.

Cronkite passed away on July 17, 2009, in New York City at age 92.

Historical Milestones & Context

Cronkite’s career spanned a transformative era in American (and global) history: World War II, the Cold War, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam conflict, the space race, Watergate, and the dawn of cable news. He was not just a reporter; he was a conduit through which the public understood, contextualized, and emotionally processed these shifts.

His 1968 commentary on Vietnam — in which he broke from journalistic detachment to offer an opinion — is often cited as a turning point in public perception of the war. President Johnson reportedly remarked, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost the country.”

Cronkite’s coverage of the moon landing and space programs helped frame the American dream’s cosmic chapter. His excitement, tempered by clarity, brought distant missions into living rooms across the nation.

The trust he earned meant that when he spoke (or chose not to speak), people listened. His authority transcended mere broadcaster status; he verged into national institution.

At the same time, Cronkite navigated the tension between objectivity and editorial voice, always conscious of the power that comes with a microphone and the responsibility that comes with public trust.

Legacy and Influence

Walter Cronkite’s legacy is multifaceted:

1. Journalistic Standard: He set a benchmark for broadcast journalism grounded in clarity, even-handedness, and moral seriousness. Many news anchors and institutions still refer to the “Cronkite standard.”

2. Public Trust: His career helped establish television as the dominant medium for news, and he personified the idea that a news anchor could be trusted by citizens from all political persuasions.

3. Education and Awards: The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU, the annual Cronkite Award, and archival preservation of his papers (e.g. at the University of Texas) continue to shape future generations.

4. Cultural Memory: His catchphrase, presence, and even voice appearances in media (films, documentaries, educational programs) left an imprint in American culture.

5. Symbol of a Different Media Age: In retrospect, Cronkite is often seen as emblematic of a time when the news was less fragmented and fewer voices could command national attention.

Though media landscapes have shifted with digital, social, and 24/7 platforms, many journalists lament the fading of unified national voices — a role Cronkite filled and carved out by his consistency, integrity, and public resonance.

Personality and Talents

Cronkite’s personality was often described as modest, grounded, and genuine. He was never flamboyant; he rarely sought the spotlight beyond the journalistic duty.

He considered himself more like a “comfortable old shoe” to his audience than a distant celebrity. His deep respect for facts, skepticism of sensationalism, and belief in the role of journalism in a democracy guided his approach.

Cronkite had a calmer, measured tone — always careful with words, but unafraid to allow his humanity and voice to shine through when necessary. This personal quality helped him bridge the gap between news delivery and public empathy.

He was also intellectually curious. He read widely, engaged with scientific and political issues, and stayed current across decades of change. His interest even led him to narrate documentaries on evolution, serve in public broadcasts about war and peace, and lend his voice to educational programs.

Despite his national prominence, Cronkite was family-oriented, with a long marriage (to Mary “Betsy” Maxwell from 1940 until her death in 2005) and three children.

Famous Quotes of Walter Cronkite

Here are some of Cronkite’s best known and insightful quotes, reflecting his principles and worldview:

• “And that’s the way it is.” — Cronkite’s enduring sign-off line, grounding each broadcast in factual finality.

• “The ethic of the journalist is to recognize that in choosing, you eliminate.”

• “If that is what makes us liberals, so be it, just as long as in reporting the news we adhere to the first ideals of good journalism — that news reports must be fair, accurate and unbiased.”

• “Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy — it is democracy.”

• “In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story.”

• “We are on the precipice of being so ignorant that our democracy is threatened.”

• “America's health care system is neither healthy, caring, nor a system.”

• “I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I am a registered independent because I find that I cast my votes not on the basis of party loyalty but on the issues of the moment and my assessment of the candidates.”

• “I have never pretended to be a great writer.”

Each of these reflects his core belief: to inform, not to inflame; to carefully weigh, rather than to oversimplify. His words remind us that journalism is as much about restraint and rigor as about storytelling.

Lessons from Walter Cronkite

From Cronkite’s life and work, several lessons emerge that are relevant not only for journalists but for any public communicator:

1. Trust is earned over time
   Cronkite didn’t demand belief — he cultivated it through consistency, honesty, and competence.

2. Clarity over cleverness
   He prioritized clear, understandable language over flashy rhetoric. The public trusts accessibility.

3. Balance objectivity with moral compass
   He mostly refrained from overt editorializing, but when his conscience demanded it (e.g., Vietnam), he did not hesitate. Integrity matters.

4. Respect the audience’s intelligence
   He assumed viewers were capable of discernment and context, offering depth rather than condescension.

5. Adapt over time, not abandon core principles
   While media changed drastically during his career, Cronkite remained grounded in standards rather than chasing novelty.

6. Journalism is public service
   At root, he saw news as a responsibility — to keep the electorate informed, the powerful accountable, and democracy alive.

Conclusion

Walter Cronkite was more than a journalist or news anchor; he was a touchstone in American public life. In turbulent decades, he embodied a voice of coherence, trust, and integrity. His famous sign-off, “And that’s the way it is,” signaled more than the end of a newscast — it was a promise that what you heard was as close to the truth as he could deliver.

His legacy endures in the standards he set, the journalists he inspired, and the institutions that continue to bear his name. In an age of fragmentation, his life reminds us that shared narratives — rooted in fact and respect — still matter deeply.

Explore more of his quotes, writings, and broadcasts to experience the clarity and conviction of a journalist who truly believed in the power of informed citizenship.