Itzhak Perlman: American Masters

Walter Cronkite: Witness To History

Everyone knew Walter Cronkite from the CBS Evening News, where he earned distinction as "The Most Trusted Man in America" during his 19 years at the anchor desk. Throughout his award-winning career -- which began as a field reporter in World War II -- Cronkite covered such historic events as the first trip to the moon; the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy; the Watergate scandal; the Vietnam War; the Iran hostage crisis; and John Glenn's return to space. Through it all, he steadfastly adhered to a credo of fast, accurate and unbiased news reporting. After stepping down as anchorman in 1981, his story continued -- Walter Cronkite lead the life of a genuine Renaissance man -- author, sailor, producer and patron, his public concern for, and commitment to, our world never faltered. Cronkite died on Friday, July 17, 2009.