National Radio Day

Happy person adjusting an old-fashioned radio dial, wearing a vintage outfit, surrounded by retro decor and vinyl records.. — National radio day illustration

Ever tuned a dial, turned a knob, or pressed a button only to be immediately enveloped by the melodious wonders of radio waves, and wished there was a day when you could appreciate this marvel? Well, look no further - National Radio Day is here! This very special day has had online chatter buzzing away like an old-time Morse Code operator.

When is Radio Day?

It's national radio day on the 20th August.

Ceasing all Static: The History of National Radio Day

National Radio Day, garnering a thunderous 13,931 mentions on 20th August 2018, is a day when we salute those magical little boxes that deliver everything from ABBA to Zappa and all broadcasts in between. The electronic gizmo that's been uniting living rooms and separating siblings over music choices since its invention.

Despite the rise of television and digital media, radio has held its ground like a stubborn Saxxon at the Battle of Hastings. Over the years, radio has played a vital role in spreading information, aiding military communications during wars, and providing entertainment, relief and company to millions worldwide.

Making Waves: The Celebration of Radio’s Influence

National Radio Day is a harmonious blend of nostalgia, a belief in the power of old-tech, and a celebration of the community it brings together. It is a day to honor the evolution of radio from its birth, a time when static signals roared louder than a lion with a sore tooth, to its age of clarity and global reach. We even dedicated a whole day to it. The 20th of August! Don't forget.

Stay Tuned: Why the 20th of August?

Curiosity might have killed the cat, but it's also the reason you're probably wondering why August 20. Well, before the advent of the Internet, deciphering the origins of traditions was almost like searching for a needle in a haystack. We can, however, safely assume that this day has been chosen to pay homage to the first radio news program, broadcasted on August 31, 1920. Puts a little perspective on today's 24x7 news channels, right?

History behind the term 'Radio'

1893

Birth of Radio Waves

In 1893, French physicist Edouard Branly discovered that metal particles in a tube called a coherer could detect electromagnetic waves, paving the way for the invention of radio. This was a significant breakthrough in wireless communication technology.

1895

Wireless Telegraphy by Marconi

In 1895, Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi successfully transmitted Morse code signals using radio waves across a distance of 1.5 miles. This marked the first practical use of radio waves for wireless telegraphy, creating immense possibilities for long-distance communication.

1906

Reginald Fessenden and Voice Transmission

Canadian inventor Reginald Fessenden made a significant breakthrough in 1906 with the first-ever voice transmission over radio waves. Fessenden's successful demonstration involved transmitting a voice message and playing a Christmas song on the radio, introducing the world to the potential of radio for audio communication.

1910

Lee De Forest's Audion Tube

American inventor Lee De Forest's invention of the Audion tube in 1906 allowed the amplification of radio signals, greatly improving the range and quality of radio transmissions. The Audion tube, an early vacuum tube, became a core component of radio technology, enabling further advancements in wireless communication.

1919

Radiotelephony and Commercial Broadcasting

Radiotelephony, the transmission of sound via radio waves, began to gain prominence in 1919. This breakthrough allowed for the first commercial radio broadcasts, with radio stations starting to transmit news, music, and entertainment to the general public. The era of radio as a mass medium had begun!

1920

Formation of the World's First Regular Broadcasting Station

On November 2, 1920, radio history was made when Westinghouse's KDKA AM radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, began regular radio broadcasting. It marked the birth of commercial radio as we know it today, setting the stage for the exponential growth of radio as a dominant mass communication medium.