On the 83rd anniversary of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, WNYC, a local news outlet in New York City, made history as the first to report on the attack. The attack drew the United States into World War II and changed the fate of the world. At the time, newspapers and radio were in competition to be the most important news source in the city, and WNYC, owned by the City of New York, played a crucial role in providing public safety information during the war.
WNYC’s original broadcast from December 7, 1941, described the attack on Pearl Harbor and the response of Japanese envoys in Washington. The envoys, Ambassador Nomura Kichisaburo and Special Envoy Saburō Kurusu, lost their usual aplomb in the face of hostilities in the Pacific, refusing to answer questions and offering only an embarrassed smile to newsmen. The State Department later revealed that Secretary of State Cordell Hull confronted the envoys with the document full of lies, leading to their swift departure.
As tensions escalated and war broke out, various news outlets reported on the unfolding events, with New York’s own WNYC remaining on the air to provide updates, emergency messages, and orders from naval and army authorities. All naval and army personnel were ordered to report for duty, and recruitment offices were opened for those interested in joining the military effort.
The events of December 7, 1941, marked a turning point in history, with WNYC’s coverage serving as a crucial source of information for New Yorkers during a time of uncertainty and war. The anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the importance of accurate and timely news reporting in times of crisis.
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