To celebrate its first four decades, WTIC Radio in Hartford, Connecticut presented four episodes of “The Broadcaster at Forty,” written and produced by David Wilkinson, as special editions of Dick Bertel’s daily “Americana” program.

This hour, which covers the years between 1955 and 1965, was broadcast on Friday, February 12, 1965. Highlights include:

• Introduction of weather probabilities, the 1957 launch of Channel 3 as WTIC-TV (WFSB since 1974), and the 1964 formation of Broadcast Plaza Inc.

• Captain Edward G. Polanski of the air section of the 43rd Infantry Division of the National Guard relating his effort to rescue people from a Farmington Valley house that collapsed during the Great Flood of 1955; Major Charles A. Hadfield of the Air National Guard passing along reports of the flood’s devastation; WTIC Flood Bank campaign on behalf of the American Red Cross

• Ed Anderson reporting on the fire that destroyed Hartford’s Cathedral of St. Joseph on New Year’s Eve 1956

• Gladden W. Baker, the chairman of the Urban Development Committee of the Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce (and the Travelers Insurance Company’s Finance Committee), speaking on how Constitution Plaza will replace Front Street

• Senator John F. Kennedy addressing a crowd from The Hartford Times Building as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States on November 7, 1960, the eve of Election Day

• Paul W. Morency, president of the Travelers Broadcasting Service, speaking at the 1961 dedication ceremony for Broadcast House on Constitution Plaza

• Dick Bertel and Dick O’Brien reporting on the 1961 Hartford Hospital fire

• News bulletins about the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy interrupting “Mikeline,” hosted that day by Floyd Richards and Bob Ellsworth

• Striking the bell of the USS Hartford (1858) at the May 11, 1964 dedication of Constitution Plaza with master of ceremonies Herbert J. Kramer, Travelers Insurance vice president

• The Broadcasters Foundation presenting the fifth annual Golden Mike Award to WTIC vice president and general manager Leonard J. Patricelli at The Pierre hotel in New York; Metropolitan Opera coloratura soprano Gianna D’Angelo singing with a 40-piece orchestra conducted by Moshe Paranov, co-founder of the Hartt School of Music and formerly WTIC’s musical director

The theme music is from “The Broadcaster: A Symphonic Suite” album, composed by Robert Maxwell. It was commissioned by WTIC to dedicate the opening of Broadcast House.

MENTIONS

Historical figures: Governor Abraham Ribicoff; President Dwight D. Eisenhower; Paul Revere; Dr. Jonas Salk; state House of Representatives stenographer Alice Miller and clerk John Wassung; fire district chairman Harold E. Drake; lawyer Charles J. Cole; Joseph Stalin, Premier of the Soviet Union; movie star Grace Kelly; Prince Rainier of Monaco; Orval Faubus, Governor of Arkansas; Chief Justice Earl Warren; Vice President Richard M. Nixon, 1960 Republican nominee for President of the United States; Mercury Seven astronauts Alan Shepard, Virgil “Gus” Grissom, John Glenn, Gordon Cooper; State Police Commissioner Leo Mulcahy; John B. Connally, Governor of Texas; first lady Jacqueline Kennedy; NBC; U.S. Constitution; President Lyndon B. Johnson; Mayor William E. Glynn and his daughter Sarah Glynn (Peters); Clair R. McCullough, president of Steinman Television Stations; Governor John N. Dempsey; FCC Chairman E. William Henry; author Mark Twain; Reverend Theodore Parker, abolitionist

Institutions and landmarks: Mile of Dimes campaign for polio research; “The Hartford Courant” newspaper; Old North Church in Boston; state Capitol; state Senate; Cape Cod, Massachusetts; State Arsenal and Armory; Bell Helicopter; Bradley International Airport; U.S. Route 44; Satan’s Kingdom Bridge; WTIC-FM; Niles Street Convalescent Hospital; All-America City Award; Telstar 1 communications satellite; Broadcast Pioneers

Communities: Newington, Unionville, Farmington, Windsor Locks, Pine Meadow Historic District, New Hartford, Simsbury, East Weatogue Historic District, Granby

Events: 1955 gasoline tax bill; Hurricane Connie; Hurricane Diane; St. Patrick’s Church fire; Sputnik; integration of Little Rock schools; 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles; Mercury spaceflight missions Freedom 7, Liberty Bell 7, Friendship 7, Faith 7; All-America City Award; Cuban Missile Crisis; 1639 signing of the Fundamental Orders; Civil Rights Act of 1964; Plaza 7 Festival of the Seven Lively Arts; Christmas Festival of Lights

“Connecticut on the Alert”

WTIC personnel: news director Tom Eaton; announcers Bob Tyrol, Ross Miller; “Mikeline” caller Ros Fichman

Songs: “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem; “Yours is My Heart Alone;” “Italian Street Song”

Travelers executives: J. Doyle DeWitt, Sterling T. Tooker, Millard Bartels, Walter G. Cowles

American Federation of Musicians Local 400 (Connecticut Valley Federation of Musicians)