A Detroit First: The First Government Licensed Radio Station
Today marks a special anniversary, especially if you have ever turned on a radio. The first licensed by the federal government radio station in the United States was right here in Detroit – 8MK, now WWJ-Radio on this date – August 20, 1920 – started broadcasting at 8:15 a.m. to about 30 homes fortunate enough to have a receiver. The station was owned by the Detroit News, and at first broadcasted from their building and operated with an amateur license, which in 1922 was changed to commerc...