On March 6, 1981, Walter Cronkite, the legendary anchor of CBS Evening News, delivered his final broadcast. After nearly two decades at the helm, the man known as “the most trusted man in America” signed off with his famous farewell: “And that’s the way it is,” A phrase that became synonymous with his commitment to delivering the truth. It was the end of an era in journalism​.

Cronkite became the CBS Evening News anchor in 1962, just in time to guide the nation through some of the 20th century’s most turbulent and defining moments. His steady presence and reassuring voice during crises such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, the Moon landing, and the Watergate scandal​, set the gold standard for journalism and comforted Americans.

One of his most famous moments came in 1968, when he traveled to Vietnam and, after witnessing the conflict firsthand, declared the war unwinnable. This bold statement, backed by his reputation for honesty, profoundly impacted public opinion. President Lyndon B. Johnson famously said, ‘If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost Middle America.’ His influence on public opinion was unmatched.

Cronkite’s departure wasn’t solely his choice. CBS had a policy in place that required retirement at age 65. This meant that Cronkite departed for Dan Rather to step up​. In his final moments on air, Cronkite assured viewers that journalism at CBS would remain strong. His farewell was simple yet profound:

“This is but a transition, a passing of the baton… Old anchormen, you see, don’t fade away; they just keep coming back for more.”​

With that, he ended his legendary tenure.

Though he retired from the anchor chair, Cronkite remained active in public life, writing books, speaking at events, and hosting television specials. His legacy endured long after his passing in 2009. He symbolized honesty in an era when trust in the media was paramount.