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WTOP celebrates 40 years in news


Your favorite radio station hasn't played songs since March 9, 1969. That's the date WTOP flipped on the switch to the old-school, glass-enclosed nerve center and went "all-news." For the next eight weeks sit back and listen as we give some of you a history lesson and take others a trip down memory lane. Enjoy the ride. We have.
Flashback to 1986 with WTOP staffers, including Capitol Hill Correspondent Dave McConnell, Judy Taub at the editor's desk, future CNN correspondent Jamie McIntyre and future NBC4 anchor Wendy Rieger. Watch the video below:

Flashback to 1986 with WTOP staffers, including Capitol Hill Correspondent Dave McConnell, Judy Taub at the editor's desk, future CNN correspondent Jamie McIntyre and future NBC4 anchor Wendy Rieger. Watch the video below:


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2008
Economy sours. Nationals open new ballpark. Barack Obama elected president.

2008: Economy sours. Nationals open new ballpark. Michael Phelps breaks an Olympic record. Barack Obama makes presidential history.

2008: Economy sours. Nationals open new ballpark. Michael Phelps breaks an Olympic record. Barack Obama makes presidential history.


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2007
Gunman kills 32 at University of Virginia. Sean Taylor killed in Florida.

2007: Gunman kills 32 people and himself at Virginia Tech. Redskins safety Sean Taylor shot and killed in Florida.

2007: Gunman kills 32 people and himself at Virginia Tech. Redskins safety Sean Taylor shot and killed in Florida.


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2006
George Mason makes the Final Four. Lady Terps win championship. President Ford dies.

2006: George Mason makes the Final Four. Lady Terps win national championship. Saddam Hussein sentenced to death. President Ford dies. Google buys YouTube.

2006: George Mason makes the Final Four. Lady Terps win national championship. Saddam Hussein sentenced to death. President Ford dies. Google buys YouTube.


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2005
Hurricane Katrina leaves behind a trail of devastation. Pope John Paul II dies.

2005: Hurricane Katrina leaves behind a trail of devastation. Pope John Paul II dies. Prince Charles marries Camilla Parker Bowles. Lance Armstrong wins his seventh straight Tour de France.

2005: Hurricane Katrina leaves behind a trail of devastation. Pope John Paul II dies. Prince Charles marries Camilla Parker Bowles. Lance Armstrong wins his seventh straight Tour de France.


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2004
Former President Reagan dies. Baseball returns to D.C. Cicadas emerge.

2004: President Bush is re-elected. Former President Reagan dies. Baseball returns to D.C. Cicadas return after 17-year hiatus.

2004: President Bush is re-elected. Former President Reagan dies. Baseball returns to D.C. Cicadas return after 17-year hiatus.


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2003
U.S. invades Iraq. Shuttle Columbia disintegrates. Hurricane Isabelle strikes.

2003: The U.S. invades Iraq. Krispy Kreme reopens its Alexandria store. Shuttle Columbia disintegrates. Hurricane Isabelle hits the area.

2003: The U.S. invades Iraq. Krispy Kreme reopens its Alexandria store. Shuttle Columbia disintegrates. Hurricane Isabelle hits the area.


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2002
Terps win NCAA basketball championship. Snipers terrorize area.

2002: Terps win NCAA basketball championship. Spy Robert Hanssen is sentenced to life. Snipers terrorize area for three weeks.

2002: Terps win NCAA basketball championship. Spy Robert Hanssen is sentenced to life. Snipers terrorize area for three weeks.


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2001
George W. Bush is sworn in. Terrorists strike on Sept. 11.

2001: George W. Bush is sworn in. Tornadoes strike the area. Cal Ripken retires. Planes crash into World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11.

2001: George W. Bush is sworn in. Tornadoes strike the area. Cal Ripken retires. Planes crash into World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11.


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2000
Y2K scare turns out to be a dud. Presidential election pits Bush against Gore.

2000: Y2K scare turns out to be a dud. Elian Gonzalez heads back to Cuba. George W. Bush becomes president but not before a Supreme Court battle.

2000: Y2K scare turns out to be a dud. Elian Gonzalez heads back to Cuba. George W. Bush becomes president but not before a Supreme Court battle.


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1999
President Clinton goes on trial. "John-John" is killed in a plane crash.

1999: President Clinton is acquitted in an impeachment trial. The nation mourns the loss of "John-John," the only son of a murdered American president. Worries start about Y2K.

1999: President Clinton is acquitted in an impeachment trial. The nation mourns the loss of "John-John," the only son of a murdered American president. Worries start about Y2K.


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1998
Clinton-Lewinsky affair dominates the news. Capitals go to Stanley Cup finals.

1998: President Clinton denies, then admits his relationship with intern Monica Lewinsky. The House impeaches him. The Capitals head to the Stanley Cup finals.

1998: President Clinton denies, then admits his relationship with intern Monica Lewinsky. The House impeaches him. The Capitals head to the Stanley Cup finals.


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1997
Tiger Woods wins the Masters. Tyson bites off Holyfield's ear. Computer beats chess champion. Mother Teresa and Princess Diana die.

1997: Tiger Woods becomes the youngest player to win the Masters. Mike Tyson bites off Evander Holyfield's ear. Mother Teresa dies. Princess Diana dies. O.J. Simpson is found liable in civil court.

1997: Tiger Woods becomes the youngest player to win the Masters. Mike Tyson bites off Evander Holyfield's ear. Mother Teresa dies. Princess Diana dies. O.J. Simpson is found liable in civil court.


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1996
The blizzard of '96 strikes. A WTOP reporter is beaten up. An Amtrak train and a MARC train collide.

1996: The region is covered in snow as the blizzard of '96 strikes. A WTOP reporter is beaten up at a D.C. school. President Clinton is renominated. An Amtrak train and a MARC train collide.

1996: The region is covered in snow as the blizzard of '96 strikes. A WTOP reporter is beaten up at a D.C. school. President Clinton is renominated. An Amtrak train and a MARC train collide.


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1995
Bombing kills 168 in Oklahoma City. Cal Ripken sets a record.

1995: Bombing destroys federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. Cal Ripken breaks Lou Gehrig's 56-year-old record for consecutive games played.

1995: Bombing destroys federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. Cal Ripken breaks Lou Gehrig's 56-year-old record for consecutive games played.


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1994
O.J. Simpson leads police on a wild chase after he's charged with murder. Former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry is the "comeback kid."

1994: O.J. Simpson leads police on a wild chase after he's charged with murdering his ex-wife Nicole Simpson Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. Former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry is the "comeback kid."

1994: O.J. Simpson leads police on a wild chase after he's charged with murdering his ex-wife Nicole Simpson Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. Former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry is the "comeback kid."


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1993
Bill Clinton is sworn in as president. A bomb explodes at the World Trace Center. Lorena Bobbitt gains national attention.

1993: Bill Clinton is sworn in as president, a bomb explodes at the World Trade Center, The Branch Davidian complex in Waco, Texas goes up in flames, D.C. gets a March snowstorm, Lorena Bobbitt gains national attention.

1993: Bill Clinton is sworn in as president, a bomb explodes at the World Trade Center, The Branch Davidian complex in Waco, Texas goes up in flames, D.C. gets a March snowstorm, Lorena Bobbitt gains national attention.


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1992
A possible shift of power and the Skins return to the promise land.

1992: The American economy is struggling, and voters must consider a change at the top. The Redskins are back in the Super Bowl.

1992: The American economy is struggling, and voters must consider a change at the top. The Redskins are back in the Super Bowl.


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1991
U.S. military action in Iraq. Riots in Mount Pleasant.

1991: U.S. military action against Iraq starts. Soviet Union ceases to exist. Riots occur in District's Mount Pleasant neighborhood.

1991: U.S. military action against Iraq starts. Soviet Union ceases to exist. Riots occur in District's Mount Pleasant neighborhood.


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1990
D.C. Mayor Marion Barry busted on cocaine charges. Iraq invades Kuwait.

1990: D.C. Mayor Marion Barry busted on cocaine charges. Iraq invades Kuwait. Nelson Mandela is freed. National Cathedral construction ends.

1990: D.C. Mayor Marion Barry busted on cocaine charges. Iraq invades Kuwait. Nelson Mandela is freed. National Cathedral construction ends.


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1989
Berlin Wall comes down. Exxon Valdez spills millions of gallons of oil. California shakes with huge earthquake.

1989: Berlin Wall comes down. China kills protesters in Tiananmen Square. Exxon Valdez spills 11 million gallons of crude oil. Earthquake strikes San Francisco Bay area as the World Series is about to begin.

1989: Berlin Wall comes down. China kills protesters in Tiananmen Square. Exxon Valdez spills 11 million gallons of crude oil. Earthquake strikes San Francisco Bay area as the World Series is about to begin.


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1988
George Bush promises, "No new taxes." Pan Am Flight 103 is blown up.

1988: George Bush promises, "No new taxes." Redskins clobber Broncos in the Super Bowl. Pan Am Flight 103 is blown up. Shuttle Discovery lifts off.

1988: George Bush promises, "No new taxes." Redskins clobber Broncos in the Super Bowl. Pan Am Flight 103 is blown up. Shuttle Discovery lifts off.


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1987
Iran-Contra scandal rocks Reagan administration. "The Simpsons" appear on TV. Baby Jessica's fall down a well mesmerizes the nation.

1987: Iran-Contra scandal rocks Reagan administration. Reagan calls for Berlin Wall to be torn down. "The Simpsons" appear on TV. Baby Jessica falls down a well. Gary Hart drops presidential bid. Aretha Franklin inducted into Hall of Fame.

1987: Iran-Contra scandal rocks Reagan administration. Reagan calls for Berlin Wall to be torn down. "The Simpsons" appear on TV. Baby Jessica falls down a well. Gary Hart drops presidential bid. Aretha Franklin inducted into Hall of Fame.


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1986
Space shuttle Challenger explodes. Len Bias dies.

1986: Space shuttle Challenger explodes over Florida. Soviet nuclear reactor explodes. Len Bias dies after an apparent cocaine overdose.

1986: Space shuttle Challenger explodes over Florida. Soviet nuclear reactor explodes. Len Bias dies after an apparent cocaine overdose.


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1985
Mikhail Gorbachev leads U.S.S.R. Live Aid rocks the world. Coke unveils new Coke.

1985: Mikhail Gorbachev leads U.S.S.R. The wreck of the Titanic is discovered. Live Aid rocks the world. Coke unveils new Coke. D.C. is plagued by heroine overdoses.

1985: Mikhail Gorbachev leads U.S.S.R. The wreck of the Titanic is discovered. Live Aid rocks the world. Coke unveils new Coke. D.C. is plagued by heroine overdoses.


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1984
The Cold War rages on and the year doesn't work out for sports fans.

1984: As the year 1984 begins, the Cold War rages on and there will soon be a change of leadership in the Soviet Union. And the Skins can't repeat as Super Bowl champions.

1984: As the year 1984 begins, the Cold War rages on and there will soon be a change of leadership in the Soviet Union. And the Skins can't repeat as Super Bowl champions.


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1983
Redskins win the Super Bowl. Orioles win the World Series.

1983: Redskins battle Dolphins and win the Super Bowl. Orioles win the World Series. Beirut truck bombing kills 241 U.S. servicemen. "Star Wars" missile defense system is unveiled.

1983: Redskins battle Dolphins and win the Super Bowl. Orioles win the World Series. Beirut truck bombing kills 241 U.S. servicemen. "Star Wars" missile defense system is unveiled.


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1982
Plane crashes into 14th Street bridge.

1982: Plane crashes into 14th Street bridge. Ground is broken for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Michael Jackson releases "Thriller."

1982: Plane crashes into 14th Street bridge. Ground is broken for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Michael Jackson releases "Thriller."


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1981
Hostages freed in Iraq. Prince Charles and Lady Diana get married.

1981: The hostages are freed in Iraq. Prince Charles and Lady Diana get married. President Reagan, Pope John Paul II and Anwar Sadat are shot.

1981: The hostages are freed in Iraq. Prince Charles and Lady Diana get married. President Reagan, Pope John Paul II and Anwar Sadat are shot.


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Ronald Reagan is elected the 40th president of the United States. The U.S. hockey team upsets the Soviet Union at the Winter Olympics.

1980: Republican challenger Ronald Reagan is elected the 40th president of the United States in a landslide victory over Jimmy Carter. The U.S. Hockey team upsets the Soviet Union at the Winter Olympics. John Lennon is shot to death in front of his Manhattan apartment. Mt. St. Helens erupts.

1980: Republican challenger Ronald Reagan is elected the 40th president of the United States in a landslide victory over Jimmy Carter. The U.S. Hockey team upsets the Soviet Union at the Winter Olympics. John Lennon is shot to death in front of his Manhattan apartment. Mt. St. Helens erupts.


Play

Iranian students storm the American embassy in Tehran and take U.S. diplomats hostage.

1979: A radiation leak at Three Mile Island frightens the nation. Iranian students storm the American embassy in Tehran and take dozens of U.S. diplomats hostage. Egyptian and Israeli leaders sign a historic peace agreement.

1979: A radiation leak at Three Mile Island frightens the nation. Iranian students storm the American embassy in Tehran and take dozens of U.S. diplomats hostage. Egyptian and Israeli leaders sign a historic peace agreement.


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1978
Jonestown suicides. D.C. gets Bullets fever.

1978: More than 900 followers of Jim Jones commit suicide. Pope John Paul II begins his reign. Bullets fever strikes as the team wins the NBA title.

1978: More than 900 followers of Jim Jones commit suicide. Pope John Paul II begins his reign. Bullets fever strikes as the team wins the NBA title.


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1977
D.C. City Hall seized. Elvis Presley dies.

1977: Armed Hanafi Muslims storm three D.C. buildings, including D.C. City Hall. Two are shot. One dies. Rock world is shaken as Elvis Presley dies at 42.

1977: Armed Hanafi Muslims storm three D.C. buildings, including D.C. City Hall. Two are shot. One dies. Rock world is shaken as Elvis Presley dies at 42.


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1976
Carter elected. America's bicentennial.

1976: Jimmy Carter gets elected. The Concorde takes flight. America celebrates its bicentennial. D.C.'s new Metro subway takes you to the Mall.

1976: Jimmy Carter gets elected. The Concorde takes flight. America celebrates its bicentennial. D.C.'s new Metro subway takes you to the Mall.


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1975
Attempts are made on President Ford's life.

1975: Attempts are made to kill President Ford. Microsoft is founded. Busch Gardens opens in Virginia. Wheel of Fortune premieres. Saigon falls.

1975: Attempts are made to kill President Ford. Microsoft is founded. Busch Gardens opens in Virginia. Wheel of Fortune premieres. Saigon falls.


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1974
Nixon resigns. ABBA hits the music scene.

1974: Nixon says he's not crook but later resigns. ABBA hits the music scene. Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruth's record. Stephen King inks "Carrie."

1974: Nixon says he's not crook but later resigns. ABBA hits the music scene. Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruth's record. Stephen King inks "Carrie."


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1973
Watergate hearings. D.C. gets elected officials.

1973: Watergate hearings start in Senate. D.C. gets an elected mayor and council. Spiro Agnew resigns. Secretariat wins Triple Crown.

1973: Watergate hearings start in Senate. D.C. gets an elected mayor and council. Spiro Agnew resigns. Secretariat wins Triple Crown.


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1972
Nixon's troubles. Terrorism at the Olympics.

1972: Trouble brews for President Richard Nixon. "The Godfather" hits the big screen. Excitement turns to horror at the Olympics.

1972: Trouble brews for President Richard Nixon. "The Godfather" hits the big screen. Excitement turns to horror at the Olympics.


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1971
A huge protest. TV cigarette ads disappear.

1971: One of the biggest protest demonstrations occurs in the nation's capital. And, cigarette ads disappear from TV.

1971: One of the biggest protest demonstrations occurs in the nation's capital. And, cigarette ads disappear from TV.


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1970
For two rock and roll icons, 1970 would end in silence.

1970: For two rock and roll icons, 1970 would end in silence. It was the year the National Guard killed Vietnam war protesters at Kent State University.

1970: For two rock and roll icons, 1970 would end in silence. It was the year the National Guard killed Vietnam war protesters at Kent State University.


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1969
The year it all began.

1969: If you're looking for a good year to become an all-news station, 1969 was as good as any. A lot of memorable things happened in the year 1969, but one event topped them all, something that no one had ever done and something that none of us here on Earth had ever seen.

When WTOP went all-news it was considered somewhat of a risky venture. The format had been done with some success in New York and Philadelphia. And, for a time in the '80s there were several competing news stations on the radio dial. WRC, WAVA, and WMAL all experimented with providing Washingtonians the news in varying forms. Today, WTOP is the Washington area's top radio station for local news on the radio.

Among those who passed through our hallowed halls ... Sam Donaldson, Jim Bohannon, Ralph Begleiter, Charles McCord, Connie Chung, Andrea Koppel, Wendy Rieger, Jamie McIntyre and Warner Wolf.

Along with us for the entire 40 years - WTOP's Capitol Hill correspondent Dave McConnell; WTOP's "Dean of Traffic" Bob Marbourg has been with the station for 30 years.

Over these past 40 years, WTOP has covered Neil Armstrong's first step onto the moon, Watergate and the Nixon impeachment, the Iran Hostage crisis, the crash of Air Florida flight 90, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Iraq wars, the D.C. sniper, and, of course, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

WTOP also has covered the Bullets NBA championship season, three Washington Redskin Super Bowl victories, two Orioles World Series championships and the Washington Capitals continuing fight to earn their first Stanley Cup.

Whether it's a blizzard that threatens to shutdown the entire listening area or a 20-mile backup on the Beltway, Washingtonians know where to go to get the information that affects their lives - WTOP radio.

1969: If you're looking for a good year to become an all-news station, 1969 was as good as any. A lot of memorable things happened in the year 1969, but one event topped them all, something that no one had ever done and something that none of us here on Earth had ever seen.

When WTOP went all-news it was considered somewhat of a risky venture. The format had been done with some success in New York and Philadelphia. And, for a time in the '80s there were several competing news stations on the radio dial. WRC, WAVA, and WMAL all experimented with providing Washingtonians the news in varying forms. Today, WTOP is the Washington area's top radio station for local news on the radio.

Among those who passed through our hallowed halls ... Sam Donaldson, Jim Bohannon, Ralph Begleiter, Charles McCord, Connie Chung, Andrea Koppel, Wendy Rieger, Jamie McIntyre and Warner Wolf.

Along with us for the entire 40 years - WTOP's Capitol Hill correspondent Dave McConnell; WTOP's "Dean of Traffic" Bob Marbourg has been with the station for 30 years.

Over these past 40 years, WTOP has covered Neil Armstrong's first step onto the moon, Watergate and the Nixon impeachment, the Iran Hostage crisis, the crash of Air Florida flight 90, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Iraq wars, the D.C. sniper, and, of course, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

WTOP also has covered the Bullets NBA championship season, three Washington Redskin Super Bowl victories, two Orioles World Series championships and the Washington Capitals continuing fight to earn their first Stanley Cup.

Whether it's a blizzard that threatens to shutdown the entire listening area or a 20-mile backup on the Beltway, Washingtonians know where to go to get the information that affects their lives - WTOP radio.


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