Explore the career timeline of Dan Rather, one of America's most prominent journalists. From his early days in Texas journalism to his groundbreaking work at CBS and beyond, this timeline highlights key moments and achievements in Rather's distinguished career.
Dan Irvin Rather Jr. was born on October 31, 1931, in Wharton, Texas, USA. He later became one of the most prominent American journalists and news anchors, notably serving as the anchor for the CBS Evening News from 1981 to 2005. His career in journalism has spanned several decades, and he remains a significant figure in American television news.
On March 9, 1981, Dan Rather succeeded Walter Cronkite as the anchor of the CBS Evening News. Dan Rather's tenure as anchor lasted until March 9, 2005, making him one of the longest-serving anchors on U.S. network television. His style and coverage of events significantly impacted the field of broadcast journalism.
On September 8, 2004, the CBS program 60 Minutes II aired a report questioning President George W. Bush's service in the Air National Guard. The segment was based on documents critical of Bush's service record, which were alleged to be unauthentic. The controversy, often referred to as "Rathergate," ultimately led to Dan Rather stepping down as anchor of CBS Evening News in 2005.
On November 16, 2006, Dan Rather filed a $70 million lawsuit against CBS, CBS executives, and his former employer Viacom, claiming that they violated his contract and made him a scapegoat for the Killian documents controversy. Rather's lawsuit alleged that CBS had coerced him into a false apology and that he was treated unfairly after the incident.
On January 24, 2007, Dan Rather launched his new journalism program called 'Dan Rather Reports' on the HDNet channel. The program featured in-depth reporting and investigative journalism, showcasing Rather's continued contribution to journalism after leaving CBS News. It focused on international news, politics, and various social issues around the world.
On May 14, 2012, Dan Rather was honored with a Peabody Award for his reporting on "Dan Rather Reports: The Price of an Afghan Bride." This award recognized his insightful journalism into the complex issues facing Afghan women, highlighting forced marriage practices and their implications. The recognition underscored Rather's enduring commitment to high-quality journalism.
On September 29, 2015, the film "Truth," based on Dan Rather's 2004 Killian documents controversy was released. The movie, starring Robert Redford as Dan Rather, depicted the investigation and subsequent fallout from the broadcast questioning President Bush's military service. This highlighted Rather's challenging and pivotal moments in his career and media integrity issues.
On February 15, 2017, Dan Rather published a book entitled 'What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism.' The book, co-authored with Elliot Kirschner, is a collection of essays reflecting on the core values of American life and the principles that have historically united Americans. It received praise for its thoughtful insights and relevance to contemporary issues in America.
On June 2, 2018, Dan Rather launched a new media company called News & Guts, aimed at providing independent journalism and in-depth reporting. The company was designed to offer news without sensationalism, focusing on factual reporting and integrity, which continued Rather's legacy of serious journalism in a changing media landscape.
On November 10, 2020, Dan Rather was honored with a prestigious lifetime achievement award by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). This award recognized his outstanding contributions to the field of journalism and his lasting impact on news reporting and broadcast media. Dan Rather's career, marked by integrity and dedication to truth, continues to inspire journalists worldwide.
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