Peter Jennings

Peter Charles Archibald Ewart Jennings, CM (July 29, 1938 – August 7, 2005) was the lead news anchor for the ABC network from the 1980s to the 2000s. He had anchored ABC World News Tonight since 1978 and was the sole anchor from 1983 through April 2005. Jennings died of lung cancer on the evening of August 7 2005 at the age of 67.

Citizenship

Jennings was a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, having become an American citizen on May 30, 2003. He was said to have been very proud of scoring 100 of 100 on the U.S. citizenship exam. Even though Jennings became a dual citizen, he was still a proud Canadian, and would often retire in the summer to Wakefield, Quebec near his native Ottawa. He was given the key to the city by former mayor Jim Watson and he received an honorary degree from Carleton University. Jennings donated a sculpture to the city's By Ward Market and was often seen there during the summers.

Related Topics:
Dual citizen - Canada - United States - May 30 - 2003 - Wakefield - Quebec - Ottawa - Jim Watson - Carleton University - By Ward Market

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Jennings' official biography on ABC mentioned nothing of his Canadian origins as that had been the target for much criticism. However, Jennings did cover a number of Canadian events that were largely ignored by other U.S. networks. He also often brought up Canadian examples during intense policy debates in Congress. Most notable was his coverage of the 1995 Quebec referendum where Jennings went to great lengths to explain why it was important to Americans.

Related Topics:
Congress - 1995 Quebec referendum

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In an interview on CBC's The National the evening after Jenning's passing friend and former rival, CBS anchor Dan Rather, noted in a tribute that Jennings' Canadian upbringing allowed him to get a different perspective on events from both inside and outside the US. That same day, the big three Canadian anchors, Peter Mansbridge at the CBC, Lloyd Robertson at CTV, and Kevin Newman, himself a former ABC correspondent at Global also gave their thoughts about Jennings and his Canadian roots; Robertson, in an interview on CTV's morning news show, Canada AM, and Newman, on Global National, which opened its broadcast with news of Jennings's death and closed it with Newman's thoughts. Newman later recalled these thoughts on his blog. ABC anchors Barbara Walters and Ted Koppel also appeared on Canada AM and shared their thoughts about Jennings and his Canadian roots.

Related Topics:
CBC - The National - CBS - Dan Rather - Peter Mansbridge - Lloyd Robertson - CTV - Kevin Newman - Global - Canada AM - Global National - Blog - Barbara Walters - Ted Koppel

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Only a few days before his death, Jennings was told he would be receiving the Order of Canada. His family will accept the award on his behalf. Since the Order of Canada cannot be awarded posthumously, the award will be dated as of the day the investiture committee approved the nomination, June 29.

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The memorial service for Peter Jennings, which was held at Carnegie Hall in New York City on September 20, featured an RCMP honour guard, paying tribute to Jennings' Canadian roots.

Related Topics:
Carnegie Hall - RCMP

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