Nov 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

1900

Reginald Fessenden makes his first voice transmission.

1906

Fessenden transmits a voice message 12 miles in July. On Christmas Eve, he conducts a surprise broadcast that lasts an hour.

1912

Congress passes the first laws regulating radio transmissions.

1914

Amateur-radio operators communicate nationwide.

1920

The first commercial radio broadcast airs.

1923

The first trans-Atlantic amateur radio messages are transmitted.

1927-1934

The Federal Radio Commission, the precursor to the FCC, dedicates spectrum for various uses, including amateur radio. The International Radiotelegraph Conference begins, resulting in the creation of four amateur radio bands and international callsign prefixes.

1950s

Hams help pioneer the use of single-sideband modulation for HF voice communication.

1961

First orbital satellite carrying amateur radio (OSCAR) is launched.

1979

World administrative radio conference in Geneva creates three new amateur radio bands.

1980s

Hams make major contributions in the fields of automated message systems and packet radio.

2003

World Radio Communications conference removes Morse Code requirements from international amateur-radio licensing, but some countries, including the U.S., maintain the code mandate for certain licenses.

Source: ARRL

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