As it Happened: The Archive Edition - Memorable 50th Anniversaries
A meta-look back at stories we've covered marking 50-year milestones
As It Happens is gearing up for its 50th birthday party this November, and so we're closing out this season of As it Happened: The Archive Edition by revisiting some of the other historic 50th anniversaries we've covered over the decades.
Click on 'Listen' above to hear the broadcast version of the episode. Full-length versions of each of the interviews as they originally aired, as well as archival images, appear below.
When I got to the police station that night and saw Oswald in the flesh, the face didn't register with me.- Journalist Robert MacNeil, on possibly bumping into Lee Harvey Oswald shortly after President Kennedy was shot.
Chapter 1: Distant replay
50 years on, veteran Canadian reporter Robert MacNeil recalls a possible encounter with Lee Harvey Oswald on the steps of the Texas Book Depository, minutes after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Chapter 2: The curious fable of the TARDIS in the air
The time machine-slash-spacecraft of Doctor Who, and the mysterious two-hearted Time Lord behind it, were the brainchild of pioneering Canadian broadcaster Sydney Newman.
Chapter 3: New spin, on the record
He panned it when it was released in 1963 — but having re-listened to The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's album a few times since, a famous music reviewer has to admit it's getting better all the time.
Chapter 4: The Man of Tomorrow at 50
As it Happens host Michael Enright cold calls Clark Kent at his Daily Planet office, and ends up scooping an interview with Superman himself.
Chapter 5: Howe Five-0
As it Happens hosts Alan Maitland and Barbara Frum catch up with hockey superstar Gordie Howe following his 50th birthday roast.
Chapter 6: The Kids Are All White
When cartoonist Charles M. Schulz introduced Franklin into Charlie Brown's neighbourhood on July 31st, 1968, it was a first for the Peanuts strip — Franklin was the first non-white kid on the block.
Listen to the full episode audio at the top of this post.
Written and produced by Kevin Ball.