It was back on Nov. 6, 1947—62 years ago today—when the Sunday morning news and interview show “Meet the Press” made its debut on NBC after two years on the Mutual Radio Network.

It’s almost certain that no one involved had any idea they were making television history. “Meet the Press” would create a genre—the Sunday morning political broadcast—spawn numerous imitators and and go on to be the longest-running television show in the world.

Journalist Martha Rountree created the show as an advertising vehicle for the “American Mercury” magazine and served as moderator from...

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