On March 6, 1981, an era in American journalism came to a close. Walter Cronkite, the iconic face of CBS Evening News, sat behind the desk one last time and delivered his final broadcast. For nearly two decades, he had anchored the program, earning the distinction of being called "the most trusted man in America." His signature closing line — "And that's the way it is" — had become inseparable from his unwavering dedication to truth-telling, and on this night, he spoke those words for the last time.
It was back in 1962 that Cronkite first took the reins of CBS Evening News, positioning him perfectly to shepherd the American public through some of the most consequential and tumultuous chapters of the 20th century. From the Cuban Missile Crisis to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, from the Vietnam War to the Moon landing and the Watergate scandal — through all of it, his calm demeanor and reassuring voice provided a steadying force. He didn't just report the news; he established the gold standard for broadcast journalism and offered comfort to a rattled nation.
Perhaps no single moment defined his career more than his 1968 trip to Vietnam. After seeing the conflict with his own eyes, Cronkite made the bold declaration that the war was unwinnable. Coming from someone with his sterling reputation for honesty, the statement sent shockwaves through American public opinion. President Lyndon B. Johnson famously remarked, 'If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America.' No other journalist wielded that kind of influence over the national conversation.
The decision to step down wasn't entirely up to Cronkite himself. A CBS policy mandating retirement at age 65 meant his time was up, paving the way for Dan Rather to take over the chair. During those closing moments on air, Cronkite reassured his audience that the journalism they counted on at CBS would carry on without him. His parting words were understated but deeply moving:
_"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."_
And with that, his legendary run reached its conclusion.
Stepping away from the anchor desk didn't mean stepping out of the spotlight entirely. Cronkite stayed engaged in public life — authoring books, delivering speeches at events, and hosting television specials. Even after his passing in 2009, his legacy continued to resonate. He stood as an enduring symbol of honesty during a time when the public's trust in the media truly mattered.