Origins & Early Life

Daniel Irvin Rather Jr. (born October 31, 1931) is an American journalist, commentator, and former national evening news anchor. He began his career in Texas, becoming a national name in September 1961 after his reporting saved thousands of lives during Hurricane Carla. He has reported on some of the most significant events of the modern age, such as from Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Gulf War, 9/11, the Iraq War, and the war on terror.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Rather also famously reported from Dallas in November 1963 at the time that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated. Based on such reporting, he was promoted at CBS News, where he served as White House correspondent beginning in 1964. He served as foreign correspondent in London and Vietnam over the next two years before returning to the White House correspondent position. He covered the presidency of Richard Nixon, including Nixon's trip to China, the Watergate scandal, and the president's resignation.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1981, Rather was promoted to news anchor for the CBS Evening News, a role he occupied for 24 years. Along with Peter Jennings at ABC News and Tom Brokaw at NBC News, he was one of the "Big Three" nightly...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Adolfo Pérez Esquivel — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Argentine activist and Nobel Peace laureate for human rights defense.
• Akseli Gallen-Kallela — Contemporary (Died in 1931) (1931): Leading Finnish painter and pioneer of national romantic art, famed for the Kalevala.
• Adolf von Baeyer — Shared historical date (10-31 · Born) (1835): Pioneering German chemist known for indigo synthesis and IUPAC nomenclature.
• Alexander Alekhine — Shared historical date (10-31 · Born) (1892): A celebrated Russian-French chess master and four-time World Champion.
• Albert A. Michelson — Historical peer (Died in 1931) (1931): Pioneering American experimental physicist known for light speed measurements.
• Aldo Rossi — Historical peer (Born in 1931) (1931): Pioneering Italian architect, theorist, and proponent of Postmodernism.
• Aaron Sorkin — Historical peer (Born in 1961) (1961): Master of fast-paced dialogue, known for 'walk and talk' storytelling.
• Abhijit Banerjee — Historical peer (Born in 1961) (1961): Pioneering economist known for using scientific evidence to combat global poverty.
• Abd el-Krim — Historical peer (Died in 1963) (1963): Moroccan revolutionary leader who spearheaded the revolt against French and Spanish Protectorates.
• 1931 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1931
• October 31 (10-31) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 31