DAN RATHER RETIRES AS CBS EVENING NEWS ANCHOR

.Amid the applause of CBS News staff members, Dan Rather steps away from the anchor desk after his last CBS EVENING NEWS broadcast from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York on Wednesday, March 9, 2005. Rather began anchoring on March 9, 1981. During his 24 years in the job, Rather has interviewed every U.S. President, traveled to more than 35 countries, and won numerous awards. (UPI Photo/John Filo/CBS).