1920day.year
In the United States, KDKA of Pittsburgh starts broadcasting as the first commercial radio station. The first broadcast is the result of the 1920 United States presidential election.
On November 2, 1920, KDKA in Pittsburgh aired the world’s first commercial radio broadcast, reporting the results of the U.S. presidential election.
KDKA’s pioneering broadcast marked the dawn of commercial radio, transforming how news and entertainment reached the public. Founded by Westinghouse engineer Frank Conrad, the station used amateur equipment adapted for broader audiences. Its inaugural program covered Warren G. Harding’s election victory, astonishing listeners with live updates. The success ignited a rapid expansion of radio stations nationwide, spurring new industries in broadcasting, advertising, and electronics. Radio quickly became a central feature of modern life, shaping politics, culture, and community for generations.
1920
KDKA
Pittsburgh
radio station
1920 United States presidential election
1936day.year
The BBC Television Service, the world's first regular, "high-definition" (then defined as at least 200 lines) service begins. Renamed BBC1 in 1964, the channel still runs to this day.
On November 2, 1936, the BBC launched the world’s first regular high-definition television service, later renamed BBC1.
Broadcasting from Alexandra Palace in London, the BBC Television Service revolutionized mass communication. Using 240-line resolution—considered high-definition at the time—it offered scheduled programming six days a week. Early shows included news bulletins, drama performances, and variety acts, captivating audiences with moving images. The service paused during World War II but returned stronger in 1946, solidifying television’s role in British society. Renamed BBC1 in 1964, it has since evolved into a global broadcasting icon, pioneering advances in color TV, satellite distribution, and digital media.
1936
BBC Television Service
BBC1
1964
1959day.year
Quiz show scandals: Twenty-One game show contestant Charles Van Doren admits to a Congressional committee that he had been given questions and answers in advance.
In 1959, Charles Van Doren confessed to Congress that he had been given questions and answers in advance on the popular game show Twenty-One.
In a dramatic turn of events on November 2, 1959, Charles Van Doren admitted under oath before a U.S. Congressional committee that he had been provided with answers ahead of his appearances on the quiz show Twenty-One. The revelation shattered the public’s trust in television entertainment and exposed the extent of manipulation behind seemingly innocent game shows. Van Doren, a Columbia University instructor, had become a national celebrity due to his impressive winning streak, earning both fame and substantial prize money. His confession came amid broader investigations into television fairness, following allegations that network executives rigged outcomes to boost ratings. The hearings captivated the nation, sparking intense media coverage and public outrage. In response, networks implemented stricter regulations and the U.S. Congress passed the 1960 Amendments to the Communications Act to curb deceptive practices. The scandal also inspired the 1994 film Quiz Show, which dramatized these controversial revelations. The incident remains a landmark in broadcast history and a cautionary tale about media ethics.
1959
Quiz show scandals
Twenty-One
game show
Charles Van Doren
Congressional
1965day.year
Norman Morrison, a 31-year-old Quaker, sets himself on fire in front of the river entrance to the Pentagon to protest the use of napalm in the Vietnam war.
Quaker activist Norman Morrison self-immolated outside the Pentagon on November 2, 1965, to protest the use of napalm in the Vietnam War.
On November 2, 1965, Norman Morrison, a 31-year-old Quaker and father, doused himself in gasoline and set himself on fire at the gate of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. His dramatic act of protest was intended to draw attention to the U.S. military’s use of napalm against civilian populations in Vietnam. Morrison reportedly left a letter explaining that his sacrifice was meant to shame government leaders and force them to reconsider the war’s human cost. News of his self-immolation stunned the nation and inspired discussions about the morality of the Vietnam War. President Lyndon B. Johnson expressed sorrow but maintained that the war would continue. Morrison’s action became a symbol for the anti-war movement, galvanizing other activists to stage similar, though less extreme, protests. His death underscored the deep divisions within American society over the conflict in Southeast Asia. Today, Morrison is remembered as a martyr by some peace advocates and a tragic figure by others.
1965
Norman Morrison
Quaker
the Pentagon
napalm
1982day.year
Channel 4, the British free-to-air public broadcast television channel funded by its commercial activities, starts broadcasting.
Channel 4 launches as Britain's fourth terrestrial TV network, funded by commercial revenue.
On November 2, 1982, Channel 4 began broadcasting across the UK, introducing a new model of public funding through advertising.
The station was established to offer alternative programming outside the BBC and ITV duopoly.
It quickly gained a reputation for innovative and diverse content, including avant-garde films, documentaries, and arts shows.
Channel 4's remit included supporting independent producers and giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Its launch marked a significant shift in British television and set the precedent for future public-service broadcasting models.
1982
Channel 4
free-to-air
public broadcast
1999day.year
Honolulu shootings: In the worst mass murder in the history of Hawaii, a gunman shoots at eight people in his workplace, killing seven.
In Honolulu’s worst mass murder, a gunman kills seven coworkers before taking his own life.
On November 2, 1999, a disgruntled employee opened fire at his workplace in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The gunman shot eight people, killing seven before turning the weapon on himself.
This tragedy became the deadliest mass shooting in Hawaii’s history.
Investigations explored workplace stress, gun access, and warning signs of violent behavior.
The incident spurred discussions on workplace safety and mental health support in the US.
1999
Honolulu shootings
Hawaii