Radio Day

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Radio Day

WHEREAS, the radio industry is celebrating more than a century of broadcasting over the airwaves; and

WHEREAS, radio transmits music, news, and other programming from single broadcast stations to multitudes of listeners throughout Virginia and the world; and

WHEREAS, entertainment radio broadcasting first began in the United States in the 1910s, and the first commercial radio station was established in 1920 in Detroit, Michigan; and

WHEREAS, 8MK, now WWJ in Detroit, began daily broadcasts on August 20, 1920, and since the early 1990s, this date has been recognized as National Radio Day; and

WHEREAS, there are nearly 400 AM and FM radio stations that provide innovative local broadcasting and community service throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the Hampton Roads Black Radio Announcers Association (HRBRAA) was established in May 2023 to support and encourage those who have advanced the radio industry in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, radio personalities serve as a bridge between radio stations and their listeners, and the HRBRAA will recognize outstanding radio personalities on their Wall of Fame at the Slover Library in Norfolk, Virginia during the month of August; and

WHEREAS, citizens are encouraged to recognize the achievements of the radio industry and honor the broadcasters who have informed, entertained, and educated us throughout the years;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize August 20, 2024, as RADIO DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations