Walter Cronkite, the TV journalism giant who has covered some of the most historic moments of modern times, died July 17. He was 92.
Among some of the moments the former CBS anchorman—known for his sign-off, "And that's the way it is"—covered were John F. Kennedy's assassination, the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal and several presidential elections.
A native of St. Joseph, Mo., Cronkite became a newspaper journalist in college, switched over to radio announcing in 1935, joined the United Press wire service and went over to CBS's news division in 1950, according to CNN.com . Cronkite's final "Evening News" broadcast occurred March 6, 1981.
Mark Segal, publisher of Philadelphia Gay News, said in a statement that "Cronkite was my friend and mentor. ... [ He spoke ] in support of gay rights whenever asked at his numerous speaking engagements. After stepping down from the anchor chair, he was free to do more and he did. He spoke up about HIV/AIDS and even against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." On gay issues he was ahead of his time.
"Walter embodied a tried and true journalist, one who covered all sides of the story and was committed to the idea of bringing news to the public."