Barrie Dunsmore facts for kids

Dunsmore in 2017

Barrie Dunsmore (1939 – August 26, 2018) was a Canadian journalist. He worked for ABC News, an American television network. For 30 years, he reported on important events happening around the world.

A Life of Reporting

Barrie Dunsmore was born in 1939 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. From 1965 to 1995, he reported from Washington, D.C. He also visited over 100 countries. He covered almost every major international event during that time.

Reporting on World Events

Dunsmore reported on many wars and important meetings. He covered the policies of seven U.S. presidents. These presidents ranged from Johnson to Clinton.

He was often present when American presidents met with Soviet leaders. This was during the Cold War, a time of tension between the two superpowers. He stayed until the Cold War ended.

In 1967, he was with Israeli soldiers. They captured the Suez Canal from Egypt. In 1973, he saw General Ariel Sharon surround the city of Suez. He also joined Henry Kissinger on peace trips in the Middle East. This was after the 1973 war. Six years later, he was with President Jimmy Carter. Carter helped create a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.

Dunsmore reported on the fall of South Vietnam in 1975. He was the first American TV journalist to interview Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. He also attended Sadat's funeral. Three former presidents were there too. In 1991, he saw missiles fall on Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War.

Breaking News Stories

In 1979, Dunsmore had a big news story. He reported on the Soviet Union's actions in Afghanistan. This was a worldwide exclusive. In 1988, he also did the first American TV report. It showed the destruction of the Amazon rainforests.

Covering the End of the Cold War

From 1984 to 1991, Dunsmore was ABC's main foreign correspondent. He focused on events in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. This was when the Iron Curtain began to break apart. The Iron Curtain was a symbolic barrier. It separated communist Eastern Europe from Western Europe.

In 1989, he saw many dramatic moments. These were part of the collapse of communism. He reported live from the Berlin Wall. This was on the night it started to fall.

After Retirement

Barrie Dunsmore retired in 1995. After retiring, he became a Fellow at Harvard University. He worked at the Joan Shorenstein Center. This center studies the press, politics, and public policy. In 1995, he received an award from Georgetown University. It was called the Edward Weintal Prize.

His Book

Barrie Dunsmore wrote a book. It was called "There and Back: Commentary by a Former Foreign Correspondent." It was published in 2011.

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger spoke about Dunsmore's book. He said the book showed Dunsmore was an important journalist. The book included essays from his time covering peace talks in the Middle East. It also had comments on recent changes in the Middle East.

Later Life and Death

After retiring, Dunsmore moved to Charlotte, Vermont. He wrote a Sunday column for the Rutland Herald newspaper. He passed away on Sunday, August 26, 2018. He was 79 years old.