[MamaB]

They were not that common way back then. I remember there were very few in the small town I grew up in. They did not stay on for 24 hours a day either. I can remember hearing the National Anthem before the stations closed for the night.

[reagan_fanatic]

I can remember hearing the National Anthem before the stations closed for the night.

Wow - thanks for reminding me of that. It's easy to forget stuff like that with stations broadcasting 24 hr a day now.

I also remember the indian-head test pattern that my local station used to put on when they first signed on. How politically incorrect was that?

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

We had cable TV in the 1960's in my small town in central IL. Color TV, too - 'bout 1967 or so. The midnight signoffs went on for some time. I remember them going on up into the 70's.

[Hatteras]

"I can remember hearing the National Anthem before the stations closed for the night."

(Shot of jets flying between the clouds)

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

(Strike up the National Anthem with many patriotic pictures)

...And this concludes our broadcast day...

Goodnight.