RFE/RL History in Images

A broadcast from the first Radio Free Europe studio in Munich. RFE began broadcasting in May 1951.

From 1953 to 1956 RFE floated balloons filled with news reports over the Iron Curtain.

Controversy surrounded RFE following its alleged role in inciting the 1956 Hungarian revolution.

A broadcaster prepares a music program, 1960s.

Future U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is interviewed by Radio Free Europe in 1962.

Singer Tom Jones is interviewed by Radio Free Europe, March 1968.

During the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, RFE was the main source of reliable information.

Aftermath of the February 1981 terrorist bombing on the RFE headquarters in Munich.

Pro-RFE graffiti in Gdansk, Poland, 1981. Bottom line reads: "We demand the liberation of political prisoners!"

The master control room of the RFE Munich headquarters, 1980s.

RFE/RL's headquarters in the former Communist parliament building in Prague, 1995-2009.

RFE/RL President Thomas A. Dine cuts ribbon at the first Radio Free Afghanistan broadcast on Jan 30 2002.

Broadcaster Maryam Ahmadi reads the first news broadcast of the new Radio Farda, Dec 18 2002.

Czechoslovak President Vaclav Havel speaks at the 10th anniversary of Radio Free Europe in Prague, 2005.

As of June 2009, all of RFE/RL’s operations will be based at our new, custom built home in Prague.