Dan Irvin Rather Jr. was born in Wharton, Texas, to Byrl Veda (Page) and Dan Irvin Rather Sr., a hardworking individual employed as a ditch digger. This marked the beginning of a life that would be filled with a strong foundation and a passion for communication.
Rather's academic pursuits took him to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, where he had aspirations of becoming a football player. However, his college years were not solely focused on sports, as he also gained valuable experience working at the local radio station KSAM in Huntsville.
Following his graduation, Rather began his professional career at radio station KTRK in Houston. His dedication and skills eventually led him to secure a position at KHOU-TV, the CBS affiliate in Houston. It was during his time at KHOU-TV that Rather's exceptional reporting abilities caught the attention of CBS News executives.
In 1961, Rather covered Hurricane Carla for KHOU-TV, a significant event that would ultimately lead to his hiring by CBS News in 1962. He was stationed in Dallas on November 22, 1963, and played a crucial role as CBS' lead anchor during the coverage of the Kennedy assassination.
Rather's impressive career continued to unfold as he became co-anchor of the renowned news program 60 Minutes in 1975. His exceptional skills and leadership abilities eventually led to his selection as the anchor of The CBS Evening News in 1981, a position previously held by the legendary Walter Cronkite. Rather remained as anchor until 2005.
Throughout his illustrious career, Rather has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field of journalism. The Communications Building on the campus of Sam Houston State University is proudly named in his honor, a testament to his lasting impact on the world of broadcasting.
