The Voice of America celebrates its 60th anniversary Monday.

President Bush will be at our headquarters, near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, to broadcast a message to VOA's worldwide audience.

Nine former directors of the Voice of America and hundreds of VOA employees will be on hand for the president's address.

The anniversary program will look back at the history of VOA, which is the United States government's official voice to the world.

VOA's first broadcast was on February 24, 1942, less than three months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into World War II.

After the September 11 attacks last year, President Bush now leads the nation in a new war against terrorism.

The very first VOA broadcast began with these words: "Here speaks a voice from America, an America at war." The announcer, whose words were beamed to Europe, told his listeners "we shall speak to you about America and the war. The news may be good or bad. We shall tell you the truth."

VOA's broadcasting code, its Charter, guarantees journalistic independence. The Charter is a federal law that requires VOA to broadcast news that is accurate, balanced and comprehensive.

Today, the Voice of America broadcasts in 53 languages. Its programs - on radio, television and Internet - reach 94 million people around the world each week.

Email this article to a friend
Printer Friendly Version