The history of radio is full of unforgettable facts that show its evolution over the years. Today is World Radio Day.
Today, February 13, is the World Radio Day. A recent celebration: was proclaimed at the 36th UNESCO General Conference in 2011.
This day tries to show the importance of radio as a means of disclosure of low cost information; And a means of communication that can reach more remote and marginalized populations, ensuring access to information and teaching.
In 2025 the chosen theme is “radio and climate change”, announces the.
UNESCO believes this year is crucial for climate change: according to the Paris Agreement, if humanity wants to limit global warming to 1.5 ° C, greenhouse gas emissions should reach its peak Late in 2025, before they start decreasing.
But, back to the radio, we leave here 5 fascinating, significant moments of the history of radio. Whether out there, and in Portugal. They could be many more, we chose these.
Origin
When you think of a radio inventor, you soon think about Guglielmo Marconi. Yes, the Italian was the “father of radio”, with significant advances, such as the fact that he made the first transatlantic transmission in 1901.
But it was not alone – not even at that moment. And Nikola Tesla, Alexander Popov or Reginald Fessenden were also important, with theories, technologies, devices, unpublished broadcasts.
That is: the radio was not invented by a single person.
Guerra
This fascination is not exactly positive.
From an early age the radio served as a powerful tool for advertising. Marconi, from the outset: the Mussolini regime wanted to take advantage of its abilities to increase its power and its influence (through communication and military innovations – but that would be another conversation).
During World War II, radio was essential: great leaders used this means to influence public opinion, both in their countries and abroad. The BBC transmitted Churchill messages – and not only – to Europe occupied by Nazis; Germany conveyed the messages Hitler wanted. And of course, it was essential in military communication and coordination.
Nixon won (only on the radio)
1960, campaign for presidential elections in the US. The debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon passed on radio and television.
Anyone who saw the debate looked at Kennedy as winner because of his calm presence and confident appearance. Anyone who only heard the debate on the radio thought that Nixon was better, because those who heard (and did not see) focused more on the content than he said, without being influenced by his tired and pale appearance on television.
Simply Mary
Oh that nostalgia. Zap less young readers certainly remember this historical radio soap opera in Portugal.
Inspired by a work of Peru, and broadcast by Radio Renaissance between 1973 and 1974, there was 200 episodes full of emotion, around the 20 -year -old Maria Ramos, the illiterate that left the village to serve in Lisbon.
It is the most striking example of what was happening until that time: Portuguese, especially Portuguese, around the transistor, attentive, crying. “The story were seen without seeing; They imagined people, the scenarios. People walked down the street and listened to the soap opera if the windows were open. This program was heard in almost all houses.
Simply Maria was the last radio soap opera with a great impact on Portugal – television began to gain space… but special note for Antena 2, which is still recovering these radio dramas.
Pirate
Another phase with great impact in Portugal (and not only, of course). Many anonymous, completely inexperienced, built their own radio station. With alternative, sometimes risky, sometimes prohibited contents and dialogues.
Very brave before April 25, with other information, with dissident voices escaping censorship; broadcasters that generally operated from secret places and often changed frequency so that PIDE did not locate them.
But the pirate radio extended after the revolution; Very popular among the younger ones, they served for experiences, to risk it. Such inexperienced anonyms became so many, with dozens and dozens of pirate seasons in the country, many betting on music and entertainment – that the time has come when a brake was needed, regulating the sector. And there was no room for everyone in the radio frequency spectrum.
Best known example of pirate radio? In 1984, when it started… a. Yes, with pirate emission that lasted 4 hours.
Nuno Teixeira da Silva, Zap //
