In the New York City Municipal Archives WNYC Sound Collection, we hear the voices of presidents, dignitaries, world leaders, artistic revolutionaries, musical geniuses, luminaries of the literati, and cultural icons. The sounds of a city and a nation are captured through nearly a century of transformations, tribulations, and triumphs. WNYC microphones were present when Admiral Byrd returned from his historic flight over the North Pole in 1926 and when Colonel Charles Lindbergh returned from his solo flight to Paris the following year. Perhaps best known are New York City Mayor F. H. La Guardia's weekly Talk to the People broadcasts over WNYC throughout World War II.
Any views, findings, conclusions, recommendations expressed in this web resource do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Recently in Municipal Archives
Arthur Goldberg
Wednesday, September 15, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Arthur Goldberg, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. speaks about the work of the United Nations and what must be done in the pursuit of world peace.
He begins his speech by ...
William Ryan
Wednesday, September 08, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: Congressman William Ryan, candidate in Democratic Mayoralty primary, talks about water shortage, finance, air pollution, education, crime, housing, and how he can solve NY problems in this area ...
Paul O'Dwyer
Tuesday, August 31, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
One of a series of Overseas Press Club luncheons devoted to meeting the candidates for all of the city wide offices elections. This luncheon is devoted to the Democratic party slate ...
Adlai Stevenson Memorial at the Illinois Pavilion, World's Fair
Thursday, August 26, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Unnamed speaker reads message from the President Johnson is read.
This memorial to Adlai Stevenson also marks the anniversary of Illinois' statehood.
Robert Moses speaks. He recollects the debates surrounding ...
The Democratic Ticket : Paul Screvane, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Orin Lehman
Wednesday, August 25, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Candidates for various offices in the Democratic primary, as part of a series allowing all candidates to speak or be spoken for.
Screvane speaks to the candidacy of all speakers ...
City Hall reception for Duke Ellington
Monday, August 02, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Opens with two musical numbers, followed by a period of silence.
Mr. Bob Darling (?) welcomes the crowd and introduces the event's first speaker.
Dr. Arthur Logan, Chairman of ...
Funeral Services for Adlai Stevenson
Friday, July 16, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
[engineer announcing report]
John Chambers of United Press International, describes the scene at Adlai Stevenson's funeral at the Washington Cathedral.
[engineer advises transmission times, followed by tone]
[short segment of ...
Statement on the death of Adlai E. Stevenson
Wednesday, July 14, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Mayor Robert F. Wagner makes statement regarding the death of Adlai E. Stevenson. He calls Stevenson "one of us" in New York City.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC ...
Lyndon B. Johnson press conference
Tuesday, July 13, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Vietnam, disarmament conference; civil rights; appointment of Leonard Marx, Thurgood Marshall, etc.
Transcript runs below.
Followed by news reporter's wrap-up. Followed by UPI station identification. ...
Dr. Bryant Wedge
Friday, July 02, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: Dr. Bryant Wedge, director of Institute for Study of National Behavior and author of "Visitors to the US and How They See Us," talks about implementing the new ...
Tribute to Adlai Stevenson
Thursday, July 01, 1965
The exact date of this episode is unknown. We've filled in the date above with a placeholder. What we actually have on record is: 1965-07-uu.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From the MUNI catalog:
President Johnson ...
Radomiro Tomic
Wednesday, June 30, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: Rodomiro Tomic [sic], Chilean Ambassador to US discusses the story of the Christian Democratic Party in Chile which has just won a majority. Discusses power base of party ...
N.Y.C. Anti-Poverty Operations Board : Project Head Start
Wednesday, June 30, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Opens with unnamed speaker.
Dr. Bernard Donovan, superintendent of schools, speaks of the Board of Education's excitement for the Head Start program.
Monsignor Edmund Fogarty speaks about the war of ...
Herman Kahn
Wednesday, June 16, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Physicist and author of On Thermonuclear War discusses the likelihood of such a war in the 20th Century. Says there is less likelihood now than 5 years ago. rom card catalog: ...
Alexander H. Cohen
Wednesday, June 09, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: Alexander H. Cohen, theatrical producer, speaks of the theatre and its problems. Questions and answers.
Host Marshall Loeb introduces Cohen by listing his stage work. Cohen tells a ...
Gunter Grass
Thursday, May 27, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: Gunter Grass, novelist, talks about writing. Questions and answers.
Introduction: I think he is a German Joyce, but if he is, I hope he doesn't ...
I am an American Day
Sunday, May 23, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Begins without introduction.
First speaker introduces chairman of I am an American Day, Colonel C. Michael Hall. He gives a brief talk about patriotism and freedom, then introduces Robert Alden. Tells ...
[American Jewish Committee 58th Annual Meeting]
Thursday, May 20, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Unidentified audio. Identified audio based on individuals present.
Recording begins abruptly.
Morris Abram, president of The American Jewish Committee speaks about hope. He makes reference to two attendees, Martin Luther ...
June Douglas and Angel Derby
Wednesday, May 19, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: June Douglas, spokeswoman for "Angel Derby" flyers (group of aviatrixes in air race), argues for the hiring of women as co-pilots and flight engineers. Questions and answers.
Merrill ...
Lord Chalfont
Wednesday, May 05, 1965
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From card catalog: Lord Chaufaint [sic], Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Britain's representative to the Disarmament Conference. Talks about problems of disarmament and its necessity and the many effects ...
