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Episode Inventory
Totals
Total Episodes: 90 (64 unique scripts)
Surviving Episodes: 60 (+1 special episode, "CBS: The Listening Years")
CBS Is There
These seven episodes were the first summer run of the series. Each aired Monday, 7:00 PM.
The Assassination of President Lincoln
Episode 01, 7 July 1947, not available
Event date: 14 April 1865
Used as an audition recording 28 March 1947
Repeated as Episode 09, 14 December 1947
Repeated as Episode 40, 5 September 1948
The Storming of the Bastille
Episode 02, 14 July 1947, available
Event date: 14 July 1789
AKA "The Citizens of Paris before the Bastille"
Repeated as Episode 11, 28 December 1947
Columbus Discovers America
Episode 03, 21 July 1947, not available
Event date: 12 October 1492
Reports from the three ships in the New World and from rejoicing Europe
Repeated as Episode 45, 10 October 1948
Witchcraft Trials at Salem
Episode 04, 28 July 1947, not available
Event date: 29 June 1692
John Daly reports the trial of 71-yeaer-old Rebbecca Norse, tried for witchcraft
Repeated as Episode 12, 4 January 1948
Sir Francis Drake Defeats the Spanish Armada
Episode 05, 4 August 1947, available
Event date: 29 July 1588
Harry Marble, Ernest Chappell, John Daly
Repeated as Episode 16, 1 February 1948
The Defense of The Alamo
Episode 06, 11 August 1947, available
Event date: 6 March 1836
Repeated as Episode 15, 25 January 1948
The Last Days of Pompeii
Episode 07, 18 August 1947, not available
Event date: 26 August 79 AD
A CBS report, in Pompeii to broadcast a sporting event, turns his attention to the sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The report describes the doom descending upon Pompeii before he is suffocated by volcanic dust.
Repeated as Episode 25, 11 April 1948
CBS: The Listening Years
Special broadcast, 6 November 1947, available
Although presented in the form of a CBS Is There episode, this special broadcast to commemorate National Radio Week, was not part of the regular series. The program recreates coverage of great radio events, rather than the events themselves, noting listening peaks. Includes portions of three World War II broadcasts. Contents include:
Japanese surrender aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo harbor, ending World War II, 1 September 1945
First broadcast of the Kentucky Derby, 16 May 16 1931
Prince Edward's abdication message on radio, 11 December 1936
The Ohio State Penitentiary fire, 21 April 1930
President Franklin Roosevelt's first inaugural address, 4 March 1933
President Franklin Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" radio address, 6 January 1941
President Franklin Roosevelt's request for Congress' declaration of war with Japan, 8 December 1941
A conversation between New York and London, December 1943
A report from London on D-Day with beachhead recording by George Hicks, 6 June 1944
These episodes were the fall-winter run of the series. Each aired Sunday, 2:00 PM.
The Exile of Napoleon
Episode 08, 6, 7, and 13 December 1947, available
Event date: 31 July 1815
Napoleon gambles with his life to regain the crown
Repeated as Episode 50, 14 November 1948
The Assassination of President Lincoln
Episode 09, 14 December 1947, available
Event date: 14 April 1865
Repeats Episode 01, 7 July 1947
The Sailing of the Pilgrims
Episode 10, 20, 21, and 27 December 1947, not available
Event date: 6 September 1620
A live, quayside report as The Mayflower sets sail
Repeated as Episode 34, 13 June 1948
The Storming of the Bastille
Episode 11, 28 December 1947, not available
Event date: 14 July 1789
AKA "The Citizens of Paris before the Bastille"
Repeats Episode 02, 14 July 1947
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
Episode 12, 4 January 1948, available
Event date: 29 June 1692
Repeats Episode 04, 28 July 1947
The Burr—Hamilton Duel
Episode 13, 11 January 1948; not available
Event date: 11 July 1804
Reports the historic duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton in Weehawken, New Jersey. Only the first half survives.
Repeated as episode 29, 9 May 1948
The Signing of the Magna Carta
Episode 14, 18 January 1948, available
Event date: 19 June 1215
Repeated as Episode 30, 16 May 1948
The Defense of The Alamo
Episode 15; 25 January 1948, not available
Event date: 6 March 1836
Repeats Episode 06, 11 August 1947
Sir Francis Drake Defeats the Spanish Armada
Episode 16; 1 February 1948, not available
Event date: 29 July 1588
Repeats Episode 05, 4 August 1947
The Dreyfus Case
Episode 17, 8 February 1948, available
Event date: 8 September 1899
Reports the dramatic events of the second trial of Captain Alfred Dreyfus by a French military court and his last-minute pardon.
Repeated as Episode 41, 12 September 1948
The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Episode 18, 15 February 1948, not available
Event date: 15 March 44 BC
Reports on events associated with the Ides of March
Repeated as Episode 73, 24 April 1949
The Battle of Gettysburg
Episode 19, 22 February 1948, available
Event date: 21 July 1861
The Execution of Joan of Arc
Episode 20, 29 February 1948, available
Event date: 30 May 1431
Repeated as Episode 39, 29 August 1948
The Oklahoma Land Run
Episode 21, 7 March 1948, not available
Event date: 22 April 1889
Repeated as Episode 69, 27 March 1949
The Death of Socrates
Episode 22, 14 March 1948, available
Event date: 399 B.C.
Philadelphia, July 4, 1776
Episode 23, 21 March 1948, not available
Event date: 4 July 1776
Repeated as Episode 37, 4 July 1948
Pre-empted nationwide by New York Philharmonic Easter Concert
28 March 1948
The Monitor and The Merrimac
Episode 24, 4 April 1948, not available
Event date: 9 March 1862
Repeated as Episode 56, 26 December 1948
The Last Days of Pompeii
Episode 25, 11 April 1948, available
Event date: 26 August 79 AD
Repeats Episode 07, 25 August 1947
The Battle of Plassey
Episode 26, 18 April 1948, available
Event date: 22 June 1757
Re-enacts The Battle of Plassey where Robert Clive won India for the British Empire. On the scene reporters describe the superior native forces, the bravery of the British-led Sepoys, the terrifying elephant charge which Clive turned back by his resourceful methods of warfare, his "shocking" innovation of ordering his men to take cover for protection from artillery fire, and the false rumor of his desertion which swept the British ranks during the heat of battle.
The Fall of Troy
Episode 27, 25 April 1948, not available
Event date: 1184 B.C.
Repeated as Episode 47, 24 October 1948
You Are There
The series is retitled You Are There.
The Surrender of Sitting Bull
Episode 28 2 May 1948; not available
Event date: 21 July 1881
The last great chief of the Sioux Nation decides to parlay with the white man. A day for which Americans should be ashamed.
Repeated as Episode 57, 2 January 1949
The Burr—Hamilton Duel
Episode 29, 9 May 1948, available
Event date: 11 July 1804
Repeats Episode 13, 11 January 1948. Only the first half survives.
The Signing of the Magna Carta
Episode 30, 16 May 1948, not available
Event date: 19 June 1215
Repeats Episode 14, 18 January 1948
The Execution of Emperor Maximilian
Episode 31, 23 May 1948, not available
Event date: 19 June 1867
The last crowned head of North America faces a firing squad.
Repeated as Episode 53, 5 December 1948
The Betrayal of Toussaint L'Ouverture
Episode 32; 30 May 1948; lost
Event date: 6 May 1982
Napoleon's treachery ends the fight for liberty in San Domingo.
Repeated as episode 60; 23 January 1949
The Battle of Hastings
Episode 33, 6 June 1948, not available
Event date: 14 October 1066
William, the Duke of Normandy, conquers King Harold and becomes king of England.
Repeated as episode 63, 13 February 1949
The Sailing of the Pilgrims
Episode 34, 13 June 1948, available
Event date: 16 September 1620
Repeats episode 10; 20, 21, and 27 December 1947
The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
Episode 35, 20 June 1948, available
Event date: 16 May 1868
The suspenseful Senate vote to decide whether to remove the president from office.
Repeated as Episode 65, 27 February 1949
Mary, Queen of Scots
Episode 36, 27 June 1948, not available
Event date: 8 February 1587
The story of the queen who chose to die for what she believed in, rather than live by the grace of another.
Repeated as Episode 70, 3 April 1949 (AFRTS)
Philadelphia, July 4, 1776
Episode 37, 4 July 1948, available
Event date: 7 July 1776
Repeats Episode 23, 21 March 1948
Lexington, Concord and Merriam's Corner
Episode 38, 22 August 1948, not available
Event date: 19 April 1775
Reports on "the shot heard 'round the world" and the start of conflict between the British and Colonial armies.
Repeated as Episode 76, 15 May 1949
The Execution of Joan of Arc
Episode 39, 29 August 1948, available
Event date: 30 May 1431
Repeats Episode 20, 29 February 1948
The Assassination of President Lincoln
Episode 40, 5 September 1948
Event date: 14 April 1865
Repeats Episode 01, 7 July 1947
The Dreyfus Case
Episode 41, 12 September 1948, not available
Event date: 8 September 1899
Repeats Episode 17, 8 February 1948. Armed Forces Radio Services only.
The Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
Episode 42, 19 September 1948, available
Event date: 25 June 1788
Governor Randolph of Virginia changes his mind, ending the bitter divisiveness of the Constitutional Convention.
The Trial of Ann Hutchinson
Episode 43, 26 September 1948, available
Event date: 7 November 1637
Closed-minded Puritians put the first American feminist on trial.
The First Battle of Bull Run
Episode 44, 3 October 1948, available
Event date: 21 July 1861
The supremely confident Federals meet a strong Confederate force.
Columbus Discovers America
Episode 45, 10 October 1948, available
Event date: 12 October 1492
Repeats Episode 03, 21 July 1947
Reports from three ships and rejoicing in Europe.
The Trial of Marie Antoinette
Episode 46, 17 October 1948, available
Event date: 16 October 1793
The rabble of the French Revolution try the ex-queen, with little thought of justice.
The Fall of Troy
Episode 47, 24 October 1948, available
Event date: 1184 B.C.
Repeats Episode 27, 25 April 1948
The Election of Thomas Jefferson
Episode 48, 31 October 1948, available
Event date: 17 February 1801
Lee and Grant at Appomattox
Episode 49, 7 November 1948, available
Event date: 9 April 1865
Reports from the Appomattox courthouse, the day the Civil War ended.
The Exile of Napoleon
Episode 50, 14 November 1948, not available
Event date: 31 July 1815
Repeats Episode 08, 6, 7, and 13 December 1947
The Hanging of Robert Emmett
Episode 51, 21 November 1948, not available
Event date: 20 September 1803
The leader of an unsuccessful Irish rebellion is about to be hanged. Will he renounce his rebellion to save his soul?
Conquest of The Grand Canyon
Episode 52, 28 November 1948, not available
Event date: August 1869
Major John Wesley Powell concludes the first expedition to float down the entire length of the Colorado River.
The Execution of Maxmilian
Episode 53, 5 December 1948, available
Event date: 19 June 1867
Repeats Episode 31, 23 May 1948
The Conspiracy of Cataline
Episode 54, 12 December 1948, available
Event date: 5 December 63 B.C.
The Roman Senate debates whether to void their constitution and the reign of law. Will they condemn the five conspirators to death?
The Hanging of Captain Kidd
Episode 55, 19 December 1948, available
Event date: 23 May 1701
The strange and surprising true story of the career of the famous pirate.
The Monitor and The Merrimac
Episode 56, 26 December 1948, available
Event date: 9 March 1862
Repeats Episode 24, 4 April 1948
The Surrender of Sitting Bull
Episode 57, 2 January 1949, available
Event date: 21 July 1881
Repeats Episode 28, 2 May 1948
The Sentencing of Charles I, King of England
Episode 58, 9 January 1949, available
Event date: 27 January 1649
Charles refuses to acknowledge the power of the Puritans, insists on Divine Right, and is sentenced to die.
Mutiny in the Colonial Army
Episode 59, 16 January 1949, available
Event date: 8 January 1781
The Betrayal of Toussaint L'ouverture
Episode 60, 23 January 1949, available
Event date: 6 May 1802
Repeats Episode 32, 30 May 1948
Colonel Johnson Eats the Love Apple
Episode 61, 30 January 1949, available
Event date: 26 September 1820
The town's leading citizen risks his life to be the first to eat a "poisonous" tomato, which escapes its evil reputation.
The Trial Of John Peter Zenger
Episode 62, 6 February 1949, available
Event date: 4 August 1735
Andrew Hamilton's brilliant defense of John Peter Zenger creates a free press in America.
The Battle of Hastings
Episode 63, 13 February 1949, available
Event date: 14 October 1066
Repeats Episode 33, 6 June 1948
The Fall of Savonarola
Episode 64, 20 February 1949, available
Event date: 7 April 1498
The ruler of Florence, Italy, is tricked into an ordeal by fire.
The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
Episode 65, 27 February 1949, not available
Event date: 16 May 1868
Repeats Episode 35, 20 June 1948
Alexander the Great Seeks Mastery of the World, Part I—Peace Offer
Episode 66, 6 March 1949, available
Event date: 30 September 331 B.C.
Darius offers half his kingdom for peace. Will Alexander accept?
First of three-part episode
Alexander the Great Seeks Mastery of the World, Part II—Battle for Asia
Episode 67, 13 March 1939, available
Event date: 1 October 331 B.C.
The Greeks are outnumbered twenty to one, but Alexander is confident.
Second of three-part episode
Alexander the Great Seeks Mastery of the World, Part III—Mutiny in India
Episode 68, 20 March 1949, available
Event date: 8 September 331 B.C.
Third of three-part episode
The Oklahoma Land Run
Episode 69, 27 March 1949, available
Event date: 22 April 1889
Repeats Episode 21, 7 March 1948
Mary, Queen of Scots
Episode 70, 3 April 1949, available
Event date: 8 February 1587
Repeats Episode 36, 27 June 1948
Perry's Dash to the North Pole
Episode 71, 10 April 1949, available
Event date: 6 April 1909
Rear Admiral Robert Edwin Peary claimed reaching ninety degrees north latitude, the North Pole. His daughter is interviewed by Robert Lewis Shayon.
Napoleon Returns from Elba
Episode 72, 17 April 1949, available
Event date: 7 March 1815
The Emperor gambles his life to regain the crown of France.
The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Episode 73, 24 April 1949, available
Event date: 15 March 44 B.C.
Repeats Episode 18, 15 February 1948
The Death of Montezuma
Episode 74, 1 May 1949, available
Event date: 30 June 1520
Will Montezuma betray his people to save his own life? The story is also known as "Montezuma and The Spaniards."
The Impeachment of Samuel Chase
Episode 75, 8 May 1949, available
Event date: 1 March 1805
The impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase.
Lexington, Concord, and Merriam's Corner
Episode 76, 15 May 1949, available
Event date: 19 April 1775
Repeats Episode 38, 22 August 1948
Fort Sumter
Episode 77, 22 May 1949, available
Event date: 12 April 1861
The confederate attack on Fort Sumter and the start of the American Civil War.
The Siege of Leyden
Episode 78, 29 May 1949, available
Event date: 3 October 1574
The Spanish have surrounded the Dutch and are starving them out. Will help come in time?
The Capture of John Wilkes Booth
Episode 79, 5 June 1949, available
Event date; 16 April 1865
The assassin of President Abraham Lincoln is trapped in a burning barn by Northern Cavalry.
Caesar Crosses the Rubicon
Episode 80, 12 June 1949, not available
Event date: January 49 B.C.
Reports on Ceasar crossing the Rubicon in defiance of Pompey and the Roman senate, heralding the end of the Roman Republic.
Episodes are once a month
The Trial of Aaron Burr
Episode 81, 30 October 1949, available
Event date: 1 September 1807
Will Burr be acquitted as the Constitution seems to dictate?
The Trial Run of the Tom Thumb
Episode 82, 27 November 1949, available
Event date: 28 August 1830
Douglas Edwards reports from Baltimore, Maryland, about a race between a horse and the Tom Thumb steam locomotive, 28 August 1830. Features authentic recordings of the actual "Tom Thumb."
The Crowning of Charlemagne
Episode 83, 25 December 1949, available
Event date: 25 December 800 A.D.
Bill Leonard reports from Vatican City as Pope Leo III prepares to offer the crown of Roman Empire to Charlemagne, 25 December 800 A.D.
The Surrender of New Amsterdam
Episode 84, 22 January 1950, available
Event date: 1 September 1664
Will Governor Stuyvesant offer resistance to the English?
The Charge of the Light Brigade
Episode 85, 19 February 1950, available
Event date: 25 October 1854
British horsemen charge superior Russian forces and are slaughtered.
The Stamp Act Rebellion
Episode 86, 19 March 1950, available
Event date: 1 November 1765
American colonists revolt against taxation without representation.
The Battle of Thermopylae
Episode 87, 16 April 1950, available
Event date: 480 B.C.
Three hundred Spartans hold off half a million Persians of Xerxes.
The Trial of William Penn
Episode 88, 14 May 1950, available
Event date: 5 September 1670
A jury refuses to be intimidated and preserves the integrity of British justice.
The Women's Rights Convention
Episode 89, 11 June 1950, available
Event date: 7 September 1853
The start of a campaign for the right vote and equal rights for women.
Boston Tea Party
Episode 90, 9 July 1950, not available
Event date: 16 December 1773
Final episode. Some question that episode was not broadcast.