What was Walter Cronkite's nightly sign-off line on CBS News (1962-1981) before he stated the date and said "This is Walter Cronkite, CBS News; good night."?

Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. was an American broadcast journalist, best known as the anchorman for The CBS Evening News for 19 years (1962–1981).

His nightly sign-off line on CBS News (1962 - 1981), before he stated the date and said "This is Walter Cronkite, CBS News; good night", was:

"And that's the way it is."

More Info: en.wikiquote.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

28 Comments

timdrumm

He captured the precise emotion of the USA just as the Pres. Kennedy tragedy unfolded...

Ray Metoyer

As I recall he would say, "And that's the way it is, Tuesday October 31st (or whatever), I'm Walter Cronkite, CBS News.. Good night!" He was so cool, almost everyone wanted to be like him because of his voice of authority.

elizawheeler

Oh, for the days when news was new and not gossip and partisan talking points.

pabjetster

I miss the days of the old fashioned journalists you could trust, especially Peter Jennings and Walter Cronkite.

Brian Muldoon

I remember that he was terribly taken aback when JFK was assassinated.

teacherchicky

I loved the days when Walter Cronkite was our trusted newsman!

Edie Koller

I remember Walter Cronkite. HE WAS A CLASS ACT. I miss him too.

Artis Holland

Cronkite was the best, period.

Beau Shilkraut

No, he never said that in closing. It was always "and that's the way it is". The quote you mention is from another person earlier in time. If you really think he changed, give a reference to check out.

Corey Taylor

In everything else he ever did the narration for, he still usually closed out with the same line. Frankly, Uncle Walter, That's the way(uh-huh, uh-huh) I like it!

tdelisi

Ahhh - the olden days when news was a national responsibility and departments were not motivated by profit. News reporting was a revenue loss for most stations without a need to also entertain / unlike today.

dmarkc

Three options just weren't.

Howard Groopman

I remember his final broadcast in 1981. And I just happened to be watching CBS the afternoon of Nov. 22, 1963, when he came on the air with the news bulletin about JFK.

Nicholas Miernicki

He was always cool, calm and collected...except at the launch of the first Saturn V rocket, Apollo 4, Watch it on Youtube and realize that he had witnessed every important US space mission, so he was an old hand at these type of things.

Jas Newman

Before that, his iconic sign-off was "... and you were there."

Richard G Schwartz

Do remember him after the Kennedy assassination.

Rob Farr

I never saw him on air, but this phrase has been attributed to him, even outside the U.S. in places like here in Australia ... apparently, he really did 'tell it like it was' ... thanks for a good U.S. TV trivia question and explanation.