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
January 3, 1943
Sunday, January 03, 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: 71817
[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 ...
[The Tehran Conference, End of the Year Episode]
Friday, January 01, 1943
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: 1943-uu-uu.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
End-of the-year anthology episode of audio ...
French Resistance
Sunday, December 27, 1942
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Dramatic recreation of French resistance against Nazi occupation. Story of a country doctor, Gaston, his wife Francoise, and their son, Jean.
Ends abruptly.
Audio courtesy of ...
The Case of Corporal Wilhelm Schuster
Sunday, December 13, 1942
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Dramatic recreation of the trial of Corporal Wilhelm Schuster, charged with high treason. Schuster served under General von Reichenau, he carried secret dispatches from von Reichenau to Heinrich Himmler, which apparently ...
New York Public Library Discussion: Burning of Books
Tuesday, December 01, 1942
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Ceremony at New York Public Library to commemorate the opening of an exhibition to mark the banning and burning of books in Nazi Germany.
WPA War Services Band ...
September 27, 1942
Sunday, September 27, 1942
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
No audio available for this recording. Transcript only.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 71752
Police Academy Graduation
Sunday, September 20, 1942
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
The Very Reverend Joseph McCaffrey, Catholic chaplain of the NYPD give the invocation, followed by the singing of the Lord's Prayer. Next, Reverend John H. Johnson, Episcopal chaplain for the NYPD ...
September 20, 1942
Sunday, September 20, 1942
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Civil Defense Equipment Demonstrations; Fuel Oil Situation in N.Y. Food Prices; Collecting Metal Scrap.
The theme song of this episode performed by the New York City Police Department ...
September 13, 1942
Sunday, September 13, 1942
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
No audio available for this recording. Transcript only.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 71751
September 6, 1942
Sunday, September 06, 1942
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
No audio available for this recording. Transcript only.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 71748
Labor Day Ceremonies in Central Park
Sunday, September 06, 1942
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Connee Boswell sings "This Is Worth Fighting For."
Unnamed speaker (likely Sidney Hillman) speaks about the realities of war and the strength of the nation and labor forces ...
Hello New York : All Soldier Broadcast for WNYC
Friday, August 28, 1942
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
From label: "Hello New York" All soldier broadcast transcribed exclusively for sta. WNYC by the Radio Division, Public Relations Office, Ft. Jackson, S.C. (102nd Cavalry Regiment)
Soldiers from ...
July 26, 1942
Sunday, July 26, 1942
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: 72875
July 12, 1942
Sunday, July 12, 1942
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: 72867
July 5, 1942
Sunday, July 05, 1942
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: 72857
June 28, 1942
Sunday, June 28, 1942
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: 72800
June 21, 1942
Sunday, June 21, 1942
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: 72789
June 14, 1942
Sunday, June 14, 1942
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: 72786
June 7, 1942
Sunday, June 07, 1942
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 72785
