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
[More Clashes With Rommel]
Friday, April 09, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Episode #5.
Report by Elmer Davis, Chief of Office of War Information, provides weekly update on the war. Discussion of Rommel's forces, clashes with Allied forces.
Audio courtesy ...
[Comparison of Allied and German Armies]
Monday, April 05, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Episode #4.
Report by Elmer Davis, Chief of Office of War Information, describing the week's war news.
Discussion of success in Tunisia; it's too early ...
March 28, 1943
Sunday, March 28, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Mock attack on New York City and a mock hearing in Albany in one day. Seems like Democrats and Republicans were quarreling. Personally I don't think there's a fight at all. ...
[Life of Anne Hutchinson]
Friday, March 26, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Audio play telling the story of Ann Hutchinson (1591 - 1643), was a settler in the Massachusetts colony and a religious dissenter who held Bible study sessions. Story is told from ...
[Fighting in Tunisia]
Friday, March 26, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Episode #3.
Report by Elmer Davis, Chief of Office of War Information, describing the week's war news. Chief news this week is the Allied push to throw Rommel's ...
March 21, 1943
Sunday, March 21, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Blackmarketing. Ceiling prices on meats. Retail taxes.
Hand-written note: Library has sides 1 and 3 only.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC ...
March 14, 1943
Sunday, March 14, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
No audio available. Transcript only.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 71883
Official orders and instructions to auxiliary members of the New York City Fire Department
Friday, March 12, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
The New York City Fire Department's official orders of the day.
On Tuesday night of this week, a meeting at headquarters. It was proposed that certain members of the auxiliary ...
[Updates on Tunisia]
Friday, March 12, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Episode #1.
The first report by Elmer Davis, Chief of Office of War Information.
German counter-attack in the Southern Ukraine. Russians in the North; costly ...
March 7, 1943
Sunday, March 07, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
No audio available. Transcript only.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 71859
Reception for Madame Chiang Kai-Shek
Monday, March 01, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Reception for Madame Chiang upon her arrival in New York City. Radio host Tommy Cowan reports on the activities at the reception. Mayor La Guardia's speech only, Madame Chiang not on ...
February 21, 1943
Sunday, February 21, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
No audio available. Transcript only.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 72345
February 14, 1943
Sunday, February 14, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
No audio available. Transcript only.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 72342
February 7, 1943
Sunday, February 07, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
No audio available. Transcript only.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 72341
January 31, 1943
Sunday, January 31, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Civil defense, blackout drill instructions, meat supply and marketing in NYC regulations, etc., enlistment in the Waves and Spars, Infantile Paralysis Fund.
Begins with a different version of ...
January 24, 1943
Sunday, January 24, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
News from Africa, Allies capture Tripoli, War Production, Price on Products, Hospitals in NYC, Loan Sharks, Winner of National Grandmother cooking Conservation Contest.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC ...
January 17, 1943
Sunday, January 17, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Audio not available. Transcript only.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 71822
La Guardia Tribute to Nicola Tesla.
Sunday, January 10, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Mayor La Guardia reads a eulogy to Tesla written by Louis Ademe (?). This is followed by a solemn chorus and then by WNYC announcers extolling Tesla's virtues. They talk about ...
January 10, 1943
Sunday, January 10, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
No audio available. Transcript only.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 71820
[A Summary of Our Enemy's Year]
Sunday, January 03, 1943
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Dramatic reenactments of 1942's "enemy" activity in the European and Pacific theaters of war. The heroism/trauma of people living in Greece, Poland, Scandinavia, the USSR, China, France, Belgium, Holland and Jews ...
