CBS Evening News Facts for Kids

The CBS Evening News is a daily news program shown on the CBS television network. It's like the main news show for CBS, bringing important stories to people every evening. It first started in 1948. Back then, it was called "Douglas Edwards with the News." General Motors was its first sponsor. In 1963, the show's name changed to the "CBS Evening News."

Douglas Edwards on "Douglas Edwards With the News." This was the first CBS network evening news television program.

What is the CBS Evening News?
- A Look Back: How it Started
- Famous Anchors Over the Years
Images for kids
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What is the CBS Evening News?

The CBS Evening News is a very important part of CBS News. It's their main news show. A person called an "anchor" presents the news. They also have a "managing editor" who helps decide what stories to cover. This show tells people about big events happening around the world.

A Look Back: How it Started

The show began on August 15, 1948. It was first hosted by Douglas Edwards. He was the first anchor. The show was only 15 minutes long back then. It brought the news to homes across the country.

In 1963, the show became 30 minutes long. This was a big change for TV news. Walter Cronkite became the anchor at this time. He was very famous. He interviewed President John F. Kennedy for the first 30-minute show.

Famous Anchors Over the Years

Many well-known journalists have anchored the CBS Evening News. They help viewers understand important events.

Douglas Edwards (1948–1962)

Douglas Edwards was the first anchor. He was known for his calm and clear way of delivering the news. He helped make the show popular in its early years.

Walter Cronkite (1962–1981)

Walter Cronkite was often called "the most trusted man in America." He reported on many major events. These included the Vietnam War, the Apollo 11 moon landing, and the Watergate scandal. His reporting helped millions of Americans understand these big moments.

Dan Rather (1981–2005)

After Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather became the anchor. He reported from many places around the world. He covered big stories like the September 11 attacks. He was the anchor for a very long time.

Katie Couric (2006–2011)

Katie Couric made history in 2006. She was the first solo female anchor of a major network evening news program. She brought a new style to the show. She interviewed many important people, including leaders like Robert Gates.

Scott Pelley (2011–2017)

Scott Pelley took over as anchor in 2011. He was also the managing editor. He focused on serious news and in-depth reporting. He interviewed President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry.

Jeff Glor (2017–2019)

Jeff Glor anchored the show for a few years. He continued the tradition of reporting on important national and international news.

Norah O'Donnell (2019–Present)

Norah O'Donnell became the anchor in 2019. She reports from Washington, D.C. She continues to bring the day's top stories to viewers every evening. She has interviewed many world leaders, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Images for kids

Edwards on set in 1952
Edwards at home in 1955 with his three children: (from left) Lynn, Donna and Bobby
Cronkite interviews President John F. Kennedy to inaugurate the first half-hour nightly news broadcast in 1963
Cronkite reporting on location during the Vietnam War in 1968
Rather (right) with president Ronald Reagan in 1982
Rather during an interview with Extra at the 2002 Peabody Awards
Schieffer in April 2006
Couric in 2007
Couric with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates in Mosul, Iraq, April 8, 2011
Pelley interviews President Barack Obama in the Diplomatic Receiving Room of the White House in 2011
Pelley at the 72nd Annual Peabody Awards in 2013
Pelley on set in 2014
Pelley interviews Secretary of State John Kerry in 2015
Glor in Singapore in 2018
O'Donnell in July 2019
O'Donnell speaks to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the US State Department in April 2021