Good night, and good luck.

Edward R. Murrow used “Good night, and good luck” as his signature sign-off during his CBS radio broadcasts from London in World War II, especially on the “This is London” reports for CBS. Reporting through the Blitz and the uncertainty of nightly air raids, Murrow closed many late-night transmissions with the phrase, which captured both the hour of broadcast and the precariousness of life in a city under bombardment. The line later became closely associated with Murrow’s public persona as a calm, morally serious journalist speaking directly to listeners during crisis, and it was revived in popular memory through later portrayals of his career.

On its surface, the phrase is a courteous farewell. In Murrow’s wartime usage, it becomes a compact expression of solidarity: “good night” acknowledges the shared present moment, while “good luck” recognizes that survival and safety are not guaranteed. The pairing blends intimacy with realism—comfort without false reassurance. As a journalistic signature, it also signals Murrow’s ethos: clear-eyed reporting delivered with human concern. The line’s endurance reflects how a simple closing can carry historical weight, evoking the vulnerability of civilians in war and the broadcaster’s role as a steady witness.