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That Was the Year

is a fascinating radio show that dramatizes the major historical events between the years 1896-1934. Headlines include Spanish American War in Cuba, Volcano Mt Pelee destroys town of Saint Pierre, Republic of China established, and Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany. Every episode ends with a performance of a popular song from the year.

That Was the Year

39 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 9 hours, 38 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
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10 Audio CDs


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"The Year, 1933" ()



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2025 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Lusitania 1907

That was the Year is a fascinating radio show that dramatizes the major historical events between the years 1896-1934.  Surprisingly, the show was not done chronologically; one week aired a show about 1922 and the next 1910

VolcanoAdolf HitlerFeaturing headlines from World news throughout the early 20th century, the show was produced from the viewpoint of the show's creators in 1937 adding unique interest to modern listeners.   

Every episode ends with a performance of a popular song from the year from "Mandy Lee" in 1899 to "Roses of Picardy" in 1918 to "Lazy Bones" in 1933.  Spotlighting the Year's Ethereal chorus music at the beginning and end of the show is used as fill where local commercials would be added. 

Examples of the headlines include:

  • 1898 – Spanish American War in Cuba and the Philippines marked the US Navy as an leading role on the high seas.  Theodore Roosevelt and the Roughriders make a cameo.
  • 1902 – Volcano Mount Pelee destroys town of Saint Pierre in Martinique killing 30,000 people, Treaty of Vereeniging ended the Boer War in South Africa, Emile Zola dies from a plugged chimney, Edward VII crowned King of England after a bout with appendicitis
  • 1912 – Republic of China established, Teddy Roosevelt shot (his speech saved him), Titanic sinks, and jurors in the LA Times bombing case bribed
  • 1915 – 1st transcontinental telephone message, Lusitania sunk by German submarine, 1st Zepplin bomb raid over London, problem with gang violence in NYC
  • 1933 - Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany, 20the Ammerndment of the U.S. Constitution moving the inauguration date of the president from March to January abolishing "Lame Duck" session of congress, attempted assignation of president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in Miami Florida, earthquake in Long Beach California kills 117, The Dust Bowl hits the Midwestern states.

See also: In Review and Great Moments in Radio History. For American historical drama, An American in England, American Trail, Cavalcade of America, Destination Freedom, Frontier Fighters, Norman Corwin Collection, Mr President, Science Magazine of the Air, You Are There, and The American History Collection.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2025 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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    COMMENTS

    What a wonderful program. I pulled my copy of Dunning's THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF OLD TIME RADIO off the shelves to find out more but couldn't find much about it in the index. I have a lot of production questions I'd like answered. Regardless: a fascinating program, and the chorus at the beginning and end (which according to the above was where they used to have the commercials) is like listening to a chorus of ghosts. In a good way!

    Bryan Verified Purchase

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    39 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 9 hours, 38 min
    39 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 9 hours, 38 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart
    Print
    1. 39 shows – total playtime 9 hours, 38 minutes
    2. That was the Year 370208 01 1907.mp3
    3. That was the Year 370215 02 1920.mp3
    4. That was the Year 370222 03 1904.mp3
    5. That was the Year 370301 04 1925.mp3
    6. That was the Year 370308 05 1913.mp3
    7. That was the Year 370315 06 1932.mp3
    8. That was the Year 370322 07 1900.mp3
    9. That was the Year 370329 08 1926.mp3
    10. That was the Year 370405 09 1909.mp3
    11. That was the Year 370412 10 1919.mp3
    12. That was the Year 370419 11 1896.mp3
    13. That was the Year 370426 12 1924.mp3
    14. That was the Year 370503 13 1914.mp3
    15. That was the Year 370510 14 1930.mp3
    16. That was the Year 370515 16 1928.mp3
    17. That was the Year 370517 15 1908.mp3
    18. That was the Year 370524 17 1903.mp3
    19. That was the Year 370531 18 1922.mp3
    20. That was the Year 370607 19 1910.mp3
    21. That was the Year 370614 20 1933.mp3
    22. That was the Year 370621 21 1901.mp3
    23. That was the Year 370628 22 1916.mp3
    24. That was the Year 370705 23 1906.mp3
    25. That was the Year 370712 24 1934.mp3
    26. That was the Year 370719 25 1897.mp3
    27. That was the Year 370726 26 1912.mp3
    28. That was the Year 370802 27 1927.mp3
    29. That was the Year 370809 28 1915.mp3
    30. That was the Year 370816 29 1921.mp3
    31. That was the Year 370823 30 1902.mp3
    32. That was the Year 370830 31 1918.mp3
    33. That was the Year 370906 32 1929.mp3
    34. That was the Year 370913 33 1899.mp3
    35. That was the Year 370920 34 1923.mp3
    36. That was the Year 370927 35 1905.mp3
    37. That was the Year 371004 36 1911.mp3
    38. That was the Year 371011 37 1898.mp3
    39. That was the Year 371018 38 1931.mp3
    40. That was the Year 371025 39 1917.mp3

  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    39 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 9 hours, 38 min
    39 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    265 MB – total playtime 9 hours, 38 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart
    Print
    1. 39 shows – 265 MB – total playtime 9 hours, 38 minutes
    2. That was the Year 370208 01 1907.mp3
    3. That was the Year 370215 02 1920.mp3
    4. That was the Year 370222 03 1904.mp3
    5. That was the Year 370301 04 1925.mp3
    6. That was the Year 370308 05 1913.mp3
    7. That was the Year 370315 06 1932.mp3
    8. That was the Year 370322 07 1900.mp3
    9. That was the Year 370329 08 1926.mp3
    10. That was the Year 370405 09 1909.mp3
    11. That was the Year 370412 10 1919.mp3
    12. That was the Year 370419 11 1896.mp3
    13. That was the Year 370426 12 1924.mp3
    14. That was the Year 370503 13 1914.mp3
    15. That was the Year 370510 14 1930.mp3
    16. That was the Year 370515 16 1928.mp3
    17. That was the Year 370517 15 1908.mp3
    18. That was the Year 370524 17 1903.mp3
    19. That was the Year 370531 18 1922.mp3
    20. That was the Year 370607 19 1910.mp3
    21. That was the Year 370614 20 1933.mp3
    22. That was the Year 370621 21 1901.mp3
    23. That was the Year 370628 22 1916.mp3
    24. That was the Year 370705 23 1906.mp3
    25. That was the Year 370712 24 1934.mp3
    26. That was the Year 370719 25 1897.mp3
    27. That was the Year 370726 26 1912.mp3
    28. That was the Year 370802 27 1927.mp3
    29. That was the Year 370809 28 1915.mp3
    30. That was the Year 370816 29 1921.mp3
    31. That was the Year 370823 30 1902.mp3
    32. That was the Year 370830 31 1918.mp3
    33. That was the Year 370906 32 1929.mp3
    34. That was the Year 370913 33 1899.mp3
    35. That was the Year 370920 34 1923.mp3
    36. That was the Year 370927 35 1905.mp3
    37. That was the Year 371004 36 1911.mp3
    38. That was the Year 371011 37 1898.mp3
    39. That was the Year 371018 38 1931.mp3
    40. That was the Year 371025 39 1917.mp3

  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    39 recordings on 10 Audio CDs. Total playtime 9 hours, 38 min
    39 recordings on 10 Audio CDs
    total playtime 9 hours, 38 min
    Add Collection on Audio CD to Cart
    39 recordings on 10 Audio CDs
    $50.00

    Or buy individual audio CDs below:

    That Was the Year Disc A001

    1. That was the Year 370208 01 1907
    2. That was the Year 370215 02 1920
    3. That was the Year 370222 03 1904
    4. That was the Year 370301 04 1925
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    That Was the Year Disc A002

    1. That was the Year 370308 05 1913
    2. That was the Year 370315 06 1932
    3. That was the Year 370322 07 1900
    4. That was the Year 370329 08 1926
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    That Was the Year Disc A003

    1. That was the Year 370405 09 1909
    2. That was the Year 370412 10 1919
    3. That was the Year 370419 11 1896
    4. That was the Year 370426 12 1924
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    That Was the Year Disc A004

    1. That was the Year 370503 13 1914
    2. That was the Year 370510 14 1930
    3. That was the Year 370515 16 1928
    4. That was the Year 370517 15 1908
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    That Was the Year Disc A005

    1. That was the Year 370524 17 1903
    2. That was the Year 370531 18 1922
    3. That was the Year 370607 19 1910
    4. That was the Year 370614 20 1933
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    That Was the Year Disc A006

    1. That was the Year 370621 21 1901
    2. That was the Year 370628 22 1916
    3. That was the Year 370705 23 1906
    4. That was the Year 370712 24 1934
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    That Was the Year Disc A007

    1. That was the Year 370719 25 1897
    2. That was the Year 370726 26 1912
    3. That was the Year 370802 27 1927
    4. That was the Year 370809 28 1915
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    That Was the Year Disc A008

    1. That was the Year 370816 29 1921
    2. That was the Year 370823 30 1902
    3. That was the Year 370830 31 1918
    4. That was the Year 370906 32 1929
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    That Was the Year Disc A009

    1. That was the Year 370913 33 1899
    2. That was the Year 370920 34 1923
    3. That was the Year 370927 35 1905
    4. That was the Year 371004 36 1911
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    That Was the Year Disc A010

    1. That was the Year 371011 37 1898
    2. That was the Year 371018 38 1931
    3. That was the Year 371025 39 1917
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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