The Voice of America, which first went on the air in 1942, is a multimedia international broadcasting service funded by the U.S. Government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. VOA broadcasts more than 1,250 hours of news, information, educational, and cultural programming every week to an estimated worldwide audience of more than 134 million people. Programs are produced in 45 languages.

The Beginning: An American Voice Greets the World
In 1939, the United States was the only world power without a government-sponsored international radio service.

Post-WWII Era
Initially VOA faces reductions and eliminations, but then receives increased support to continue its broadcasts as the Cold War begins.

VOA's Mission in the 1960s and 1970s
In the 1960s and 1970s, VOA took giant steps toward becoming the world's leading international broadcaster. During the tenure of Director Henry Loomis from 1958 to 1965, the VOA Charter was written, and technical facilities and programming for every part of the world were expanded.

Modernizing in the 1980s
In 1983, VOA launched a $1.3 billion program to rebuild and modernize VOA programming and technical capabilities.

Restructuring International Broadcasting in the 1990s
In 1990, the U.S. Information Agency, then VOA's parent Agency, established the Bureau of Broadcasting to consolidate its three broadcasting services.

Innovations for a New Century
Using radio, television, and the Internet, the Voice of America reaches an audience of more than 138 million people each week.

Language Services
Today, VOA broadcasts in more than 40 languages to an audience around the world.

VOA Directors
Twenty-seven VOA directors have guided the Voice of America since 1942.

Historical Highlights
Important dates in VOA's history.

A Guide to the Voice of America Broadcast Archives
Researching VOA at the National Archives and Library of Congress

Bibliography
Additional information about the Voice of America.