Dan Rather

Date of Birth: October 31, 1931

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Biography

Dan Rather is an American journalist and former news anchor, born on October 31, 1931, in Wharton, Texas. He began his career in journalism in the early 1950s, working for various Texas radio stations before moving to television. Rather gained national attention during his coverage of Hurricane Carla in 1961, which led to his hiring by CBS News. Over the following decades, he became one of the most prominent figures in American journalism, anchoring the CBS Evening News from 1981 to 2005. Rather’s career has been marked by significant events and controversies. He reported on key historical moments such as the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. His tenure at CBS ended controversially following a disputed report about President George W. Bush’s National Guard service. After leaving CBS, Rather continued to work in journalism, founding the news magazine “Dan Rather Reports” and later contributing to various media outlets. He remains a respected and influential figure in journalism, known for his tenacity and dedication to the truth.

5 Interesting Facts about Dan Rather

1. Dan Rather was the first journalist to report the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to a national audience.

2. He held the position of CBS Evening News anchor for 24 years, from 1981 to 2005.

3. Rather was embedded with American troops during the Vietnam War, providing frontline reports that brought the conflict into American living rooms.

4. He has received numerous awards for his journalism, including multiple Emmy and Peabody Awards.

5. In 2006, Rather launched “Dan Rather Reports” on HDNet, which focused on in-depth news and investigative journalism.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dan Rather

1. “Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow.”

2. “The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called ‘truth.’”

3. “I have been blessed in my life and career with the ability to make the kinds of choices that most people simply don’t have.”

4. “An intellectual snob is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture and not think of The Lone Ranger.”

5. “The press is a watchdog, not an attack dog.”