14 SEPTEMBER
1953 - September 16th, 1953 will be the date for the first nationwide test of the CONELRAD (CONtrol of ELectromagnetic RADiation) Emergency Broadcasting System. Under the headline AIR DEFENSE TEST SLATED, The New York Times reports: "Don't be alarmed if you can't tune in the radio or television programs early Wednesday morning. It will be just a test of the 'CONELRAD' civil defense radio set... All standard radio and television broadcasts will leave the air at 1:30 A.M. local time Wednesday morning and stay off until 4:30 A.M. During the test program, broadcasts by selected local radio stations, broadcasters will repeat at intervals that 'this is a test.'"