February 13 is World Radio Day, a global celebration of a medium that has informed, entertained, and connected people for more than a century. First proposed by Spain in 2010 and officially proclaimed by UNESCO in 2011, the day highlights radio’s enduring role in our lives — from long commutes to late‑night drives, from breaking news to favourite songs, from local voices to global stories.
Radio has survived every technological shift thrown at it. It educates, it informs, it bridges cultures, and in moments of crisis — natural or man‑made — it becomes an essential lifeline. No fancy equipment, no expensive production, just a signal and a voice that reaches everyone.
The roots go back to Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi, who proved radio communication was possible when he sent and received the first radio signal in 1895. By 1919, America had its first radio station in Pittsburgh. FM arrived in 1939. Digital broadcasting and internet radio followed in the 1990s, opening the door to 24‑hour online stations and global streaming.
UNESCO chose February 13 because it marks the anniversary of the United Nations’ own international broadcasting service, launched in 1946. Today, radio remains one of the most accessible, democratic, and resilient forms of communication — a companion that never asks for much and never forgets to show up.
Before you tune in, here’s your Tillsonburg fuel update:
-
Pioneer: $128.9
-
Esso: $128.9
-
Shell: $128.9
-
Petro Canada: $128.9
And unlike that neighbour who still hasn’t returned your weed‑whacker, radio will always be right where you left it — ready to keep you company on the road.
