DALLAS — WFAA is commemorating a major milestone: 75 years of news and sports coverage in North Texas.
The station, which went on air in Dallas-Fort Worth on Sept. 17, 1949, is celebrating its anniversary this week with an hourlong primetime special, in-depth digital coverage of North Texas' biggest stories in WFAA's history, and various reflections from WFAA alumni on the moments that defined their careers – and the legacy of the station.
Also, several North Texas cities are joining in on the anniversary honors by issuing mayoral proclamations in honor of WFAA's 75th anniversary.
The primetime special featuring interviews with WFAA alums such as John McCaa, Gloria Campos, Tracy Rowlett and Iola Johnson will air at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
"It's been a dynamite place to work," McCaa, who retired in 2019, reflected for the special. "I think all of us would tell you this was some place very, very special."
Also publishing this week on WFAA.com will be an extensive digital piece, "The 75 moments that most shaped Dallas-Fort Worth in the last 75 years," which will rank the top moments in North Texas during WFAA's history.
The stories featured in the ranking range from major news with historic, international impacts – the top moment on the list certainly qualifies as that – to more lighthearted, yet quintessentially Dallas moments, such as May 11, 1971, when restaurateur Mariano Martinez invented the frozen margarita.
This project also ranked our region's greatest sporting triumphs, from the Dallas Cowboys dynasties – yes, that's plural, if you can remember that far back – to the Texas Rangers' recent World Series championship.
But the unfortunate reality of 75 years of news is that it was often defined by heartbreak and tragedy, and those moments – and how North Texas responded – are featured here as well, including: The July 7, 2016 shooting of five police officers in downtown Dallas; the Dec. 26, 2015, tornadoes that killed nine people in Garland and Rowlett; and several high-profile crimes and trials that captured national attention.
In addition to WFAA's on-air and online content this week, five North Texas cities have issued proclamations in the station's honor. Dallas, Plano, Arlington, Cedar Hill and Weatherford have issued the proclamations, and Grand Prairie is expected to issue a similar proclamation at its city council meeting Tuesday night.
Also in Dallas on Tuesday night, several downtown buildings will be participating in a light show honoring WFAA's 75th anniversary: Reunion Tower, Bank of America Plaza, AT&T Discovery District, the Omni Dallas, and the Hunt Building.