Photo by Margaret Sutherland/ KNOM.
KNOM made its debut on the airwaves on July 14, 1971. The first-ever broadcast included a blessing from Pope Paul VI, and messages from other famous guests.
“Every time a new radio station goes on the air, I feel happy that the world has become a smaller globe and a bigger neighborhood,” Bing Crosby said in the broadcast. “I know a wholesome song and a healthy, hopeful word can light up some pretty dark corners in some pretty sad places. They can make a sorrow bearable that otherwise would be unbearable if there was nobody to share it with.”
Governor Egan called the founding of KNOM a step forward in overcoming a problem faced by many Alaskans — Communicating between vast distances.
“We can live and work together only if we understand each other, and we can understand each other, of course, only if we have the means of communicating with each other,” he said.
In celebration of 55 years serving Western Alaska, KNOM hosted an Open House and invited the community to the station. Visitors got to see behind-the-scenes production work, ate lunch and cake, and shared early radio memories with the KNOM staff.
Photo by Miranda Musich/ KNOM.
Nome resident Jennifer Berry shared,“Thank you for the great food and fellowship today! We really feel like we’re family. Happy birthday KNOM!”
