
Explore Centennial Content
Celebrating a Century of New York News, Culture and Conversation

Brian Lehrer hosts an evening of live radio fun at SummerStage in Central Park!

Listen to the archive broadcast of "Rhapsody for This Land: The American Odyssey in Music," recorded live from beneath the Brooklyn Bridge.

WNYC launched on July 8, 1924, with a bold mandate: to serve as the voice of New York. Today, that first broadcast echoes as a credo, a challenge, and a resounding call to action.

WNYC celebrates its 100th birthday with a live show at Central Park SummerStage, hosted by Brian Lehrer and featuring WNYC hosts, trivia, live musical performances and more.

In honor of WNYC's 100th birthday, All Of It is celebrating 100 pieces of art in New York City. Each month we speak with a tastemaker in the arts world.

As our centennial series continues, John Schaefer, host of WNYC's New Sounds, takes us through WNYC's musical legacy.

Hear the newest sounds from 1924 and somehow John Schaefer was there, broadcasting at the dawn (or 'round midnight) of WNYC radio. Here's a WNYC Centennial edition of The New Sounds...

As part of WNYC's centennial celebration, each week we'll share key moments from the from the vast WNYC and NYC Municipal archives.
Support WNYC as we begin our second century
Your donation today will help ensure that WNYC will be here for the next 100 years.
Join us as we celebrate this landmark anniversary, and help us stand strong for another 100 years. There are many ways to support WNYC and New York Public Radio:
- Become a member of WNYC by making a monthly donation.
- Make a leadership gift of $50,000 or more to help meet a $5 million challenge grant from one of our leading philanthropic funders, with special recognition in NYPR’s Centennial Circle for supporters who make gifts of $100,000 or higher. Contact giving@nypublicradio.org or 646.829.4130 to learn more.
- Join us at the Centennial Gala on Tuesday, November 19, at the Glasshouse (660 12th Avenue). The evening will feature a special anniversary program, and an afterparty with DJs and dancing.
- Include us in your estate plans to help us plan for our future through our Legacy Giving Challenge: 100 Intentions for 100 Years.
Explore WNYC’s First Century
From the WNYC Archives

Right after her first victory at Wimbledon, WNYC aired this official reception for tennis star Althea Gibson.

Kurt Vonnegut tells us why he abandoned the sketchy sci-fi plot lines in favor of a sharp-eyed political realism of what has come to be known as his “Watergate novel,” Jailbird.

This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate. Hubert Humphrey speaks. Grateful that Dr. King returned safely,...

WNYC’s first official broadcast began just before 9 p.m. on July 8, 1924, and lasted a mere three hours and 26 minutes.
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A Thank You to Our Sponsors
AARP New York City is a proud supporter of WNYC’s Centennial, helping New York’s public radio station reach thousands of engaged listeners who have made WNYC part of their daily routine.
The New Museum, reopening in 2025, is Manhattan’s only dedicated contemporary art museum and a catalyst for dialogue between artists and the public. Learn More at http://newmuseum.org.
Trusted Journalism since 1956.
WNYC’s Centennial is supported by The John Templeton Foundation, funding interdisciplinary research and catalyzing conversations to inspire awe and wonder. Dive deeply into the wonders of the universe at http://templeton.org/.