Charlie Brotman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charlie Brotman
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| Born |
Charles Julian Brotman
December 30, 1927 |
| Occupation | Announcer |
| Known for | Serving as announcer for US presidential inauguration parades |
Charlie Brotman (born December 30, 1927) is an American who has a very special job: he's an announcer! He is famous for introducing the big parades for 12 U.S. presidents when they became president. He announced for presidents from Harry S. Truman all the way to Joe Biden.
Charlie Brotman's Early Life and Career
Growing Up in Washington, D.C.
Charlie Brotman grew up in Northeast Washington, D.C. His parents were immigrants from Russia. He went to McKinley Technology High School. After high school, he studied at the University of Maryland.
From 1946 to 1948, Charlie served in the U.S. Navy. After his time in the Navy, he went to the National Academy of Broadcasting. This is where he learned how to be an announcer.
Becoming a Sports Announcer
After finishing school, Charlie worked as a disc jockey and sports announcer in Orlando, Florida. In 1956, he met Calvin Griffith, who owned the Washington Senators baseball team. This meeting brought Charlie back to his hometown. He became the announcer at Griffith Stadium for the Washington Senators baseball team. Later, he also helped promote the team.
Starting His Own Business
In the 1960s, Charlie started his own company. It was a public relations firm called Brotman|Winter|Fried. A public relations firm helps people and companies share their stories with the public. His company was especially good at promoting sports events.
Charlie continued to announce the first baseball game of the season (called Opening Day) for the Senators. He did this every year until the team moved to Texas in 1971. When the Washington Nationals baseball team came to Washington, D.C., in 2005, Charlie returned to his Opening Day announcing duties.
Recognized for His Work
Charlie Brotman has been honored many times for his long career. He has been inducted into 11 different Halls of Fame! These include the Washington Hall of Fame and the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. In 2014, he was inducted into the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation Hall of Fame.
Announcing Presidential Inaugurations
How It All Started
In 1949, Charlie was still a student at the National Academy of Broadcasting. His teacher suggested him for a special job: announcing for Harry S. Truman's second inauguration. This was a very important event because it was the first time a presidential inauguration was shown on television!
Announcing for President Eisenhower
Charlie didn't announce Dwight D. Eisenhower's first inauguration. However, as the announcer for the Washington Senators, he did introduce Eisenhower in 1956. This was when the president threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Griffith Stadium on Opening Day.
Later that year, someone from the White House called Charlie. They said President Eisenhower was very impressed with his announcing. Eisenhower wanted Charlie to introduce him again at his second inauguration. When asked about a fee, Charlie famously said, "No, as a matter of fact, to be honest, I'd pay you for the honor."
A Long Streak of Inaugurations
Charlie Brotman was the voice behind every inaugural parade in Washington, D.C., from Eisenhower's second inauguration in 1957 to Barack Obama's second inauguration in 2013. This was an amazing streak of 15 consecutive ceremonies! His 16th overall inauguration was for Obama's second term. (The parade for Ronald Reagan's second inauguration was canceled due to very cold weather.)
During President George W. Bush's time in office, Charlie also announced at special tee ball games held on the White House lawn.
A Brief Break and a Return
When President Donald Trump was inaugurated in 2017, Charlie's long streak as the official announcer ended. A different person was chosen for that parade. However, Charlie was still busy! He was chosen to welcome the organizers for the 2017 Women's March in Washington, D.C., the day after the inauguration.
Charlie Brotman was back behind the microphone for Joe Biden's inaugural parade on January 20, 2021. This showed his lasting importance and talent as an announcer.
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