Chicago: January 20, 2009
From: Ed Herrmann
Length: 00:18:35
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
On Inauguration Day, WBEZ sent a team of reporters throughout the Chicago area to gather personal reactions to the presidency of Barack Obama. The montage is arranged chronologically, from morning newspaper vendors reading the headlines to a veteran of the Civil Rights movement attending an evening ball. Along the way you'll hear voices from public schools, retirement homes, factories, the Chicago Board of Trade, the American Legion and numerous other locales. Originally broadcast on January 21 on WBEZ's morning news magazine, 848, this piece captures a complex mix of joy, hope, inspiration, and challenge from the city where Barack Obama began his political career.
Broadcast History
WBEZ January 21, 2009
Timing and Cues
in: sound fades in "What the headline say here? Chicago Tribune. An American Moment."
out: Obama finishes speaking at 16:45 with "So let us mark this day with remembrance of who we are and how far we've traveled."
music (Mavis Staples) fades up and continues until 18:36
Intro and Outro
INTRO:January 20, 2009 was an historic day for the country and especially for Chicago, the city where Barack Obama began his political career. To document the day, a team of reporters from WBEZ fanned out across the Chicago region to gather personal reflections of this extraordinary day—the inauguration of the nation’s 44th President. Here’s what they heard.
OUTRO:(This can be read over the music following Obama after 16:45.)
The music you're listening to is by the great Mavis Staples. This program was produced by Ed Herrmann. The interviews were gathered by WBEZ reporters Tony Arnold, Chip Mitchell, Melissa Townsend, Rob Wildeboer, Gabriel Spitzer, Michael Puente, Alison Cuddy, Adriene Hill, Carrie Shepherd, Nick White and Lynette Kalsnes. All were recorded in and around Chicago on January 20, 2009.
Additional Credits
The material was gathered by WBEZ reporters Tony Arnold, Chip Mitchell, Melissa Townsend, Rob Wildeboer, Gabriel Spitzer, Michael Puente, Alison Cuddy, Adriene Hill, Carrie Shepherd, Nick White and Lynette Kalsnes.
Editorial assistance by Aurora Aguilar.
Produced and mixed by Ed Herrmann.