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For what reason did KDKA (the first U.S. radio broadcast station) choose the date November 2, 1920, for their first on-air broadcast?

Question #149717. Asked by BigTriviaDawg.
Last updated Aug 28 2023.
Originally posted Aug 28 2023 8:05 PM.

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psnz star
Answer has 5 votes
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psnz star
5 year member
1007 replies avatar

Answer has 5 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
They chose the date because it was a presidential election day.
On November 2, 1920, station KDKA made the nation's first commercial broadcast (a term coined by Conrad himself [Dr. Frank Conrad]). They chose that date because it was election day, and the power of radio was proven when people could hear the results of the Harding-Cox presidential race before they read about it in the newspaper.

KDKA was a huge hit, inspiring other companies to take up broadcasting. In four years there were 600 commercial stations around the country.
link https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/dt20ra.html

Response last updated by psnz on Aug 28 2023.
Aug 28 2023, 8:06 PM
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