The Voice of America has carried United States, regional, and world news to listeners around the globe for 63 years. Founded less than three months after the United States entered World War II, the Voice has been a beacon of hope for those deprived of news.
William Harlan Hale opened the first VOA broadcast on 24 February 1942 with the words, "The Voice of America speaks. Today, America has been at war for 79 days. Daily, at this time, we shall speak to you about America and the war — the news may be good or bad — we shall tell you the truth."
For more on VOA's history, see the History section of "VOA Information".
