The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) made a groundbreaking move by inaugurating its regularly scheduled television service in New York City. This innovative step was highlighted by the live broadcast of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's ceremonial address at the opening of the New York World's Fair, a grand event that showcased American ingenuity and future advancements. The World's Fair was designed to demonstrate the progress the nation had made since the Great Depression and to instill a sense of hope for the future. In Roosevelt's address, he discussed themes of optimism and technological progress, setting the tone for the Fair's various exhibits and events.

With the World’s Fair serving as a perfect backdrop, NBC’s broadcast was significant not only for its immediate impact but also for its role in demonstrating the possibilities of television as a medium. At the time, television technology was still in its infancy, and few households had television sets. However, the event undertook the experiment to reach audiences and showcase television’s potential. The broadcast was captured using a mix of both experimental and regular transmission methods, signifying a bridge between the old and new forms of media.

The live broadcast attracted many viewers who were mesmerized by the moving images and sounds coming from their screens, making it an important milestone in the history of television. As the opening ceremony unfolded, it highlighted the importance of media in public life, expanding beyond radio into visual storytelling, which would soon revolutionize the way news, entertainment, and culture were consumed in America and beyond.