1978: NOAA announces gender-neutral hurricane naming system
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Voice of America, the radio broadcasting network of the federal government and an organization of the U.S. Information Agency first broadcast on this date in 1942. The transmission was in German and was intended to counter Nazi propaganda among the German people. By the time World War II ended, the VOA was broadcasting 3,200 programs in 40 languages every week. It became part of the USIA when that agency was established in 1953. The VOA’s function is to promote understanding of the U.S. and to spread American values. During the Cold War its programs focused on the communist countries of eastern and central Europe. Daily broadcasts include news reports, stories and discussions on American political and cultural events, and editorials setting forth US government policy. VOA produces and broadcasts radio programs in English and foreign languages, and operates broadcasting and relay stations.
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