by Emily Hellewell

Forty years ago today, on May 3, 1971, NPR debuted its first program: All Things Considered. Join us today for a celebration complete with photos from the archives and avatars for your Facebook profile. Happy Birthday NPR and ATC!

You'll want to keep refreshing this blog today, because we will come back to you with more birthday fun throughout the day.

Set up an appointment for yourself at 4pm ET today. We're hoping to get a "wave" of tweets going through the Twitterverse when All Things Considered comes on the air today. We'll tell you more later today over at @npr.

First up today: a glance through the NPR photo archives for a look at NPR over the last 40 years.

  • NPR's first logo.
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    NPR's first logo.
  • This 1972 photo was taken in the first All Things Considered studio. From left: Renee Chaney, Kati Marton, Linda Wertheimer (ATC's first director), and Kris Mortensen.
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    This 1972 photo was taken in the first All Things Considered studio. From left: Renee Chaney, Kati Marton, Linda Wertheimer (ATC's first director), and Kris Mortensen.
  • Jackie Judd, Bob Edwards and Carl Kasell discuss news coverage in this photo taken in the late 1970s.
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    Jackie Judd, Bob Edwards and Carl Kasell discuss news coverage in this photo taken in the late 1970s.
  • In 1973, Jane Holmes and Pete Loewenstein schedule program feeds for the land-line based transmission system (photo by Geroge Geesey).
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    In 1973, Jane Holmes and Pete Loewenstein schedule program feeds for the land-line based transmission system (photo by Geroge Geesey).
  • Bob Edwards in the 1970s (photo by George Geesey).
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    Bob Edwards in the 1970s (photo by George Geesey).
  • Ira Flatow interviews penguins in Antarctica in 1979 (photo by Katherine Bouton).
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    Ira Flatow interviews penguins in Antarctica in 1979 (photo by Katherine Bouton).
  • Years later, Weekend Edition Producer Peter Breslow returns to do a follow up interview.
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    Years later, Weekend Edition Producer Peter Breslow returns to do a follow up interview.
  • ATC producer Maury Schlessinger updates the show's rundown board in 1981.
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    ATC producer Maury Schlessinger updates the show's rundown board in 1981.
  • A longtime NPR contributor Daniel Schorr, in 1987.
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    A longtime NPR contributor Daniel Schorr, in 1987.
  • Anne Garrels reporting from Iraq in 2003.
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    Anne Garrels reporting from Iraq in 2003.
  • Renee Montagne in Afganistan.
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    Renee Montagne in Afganistan.
  • Guy Raz reporting from Germany in 2004.
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    Guy Raz reporting from Germany in 2004.
  • In 2006, Foreign Correspondent Anne Garrels returned to Iraq.
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    In 2006, Foreign Correspondent Anne Garrels returned to Iraq.
  • Corey Flintoff reporting from Haiti in 2006.
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    Corey Flintoff reporting from Haiti in 2006.
  • Foreign Correspondent Lourdes Garcia-Navaro interviews a local resident of Catemaco, Mexico, for a story about brujos (witch doctors) in 2007 (photo by Jake Price).
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    Foreign Correspondent Lourdes Garcia-Navaro interviews a local resident of Catemaco, Mexico, for a story about brujos (witch doctors) in 2007 (photo by Jake Price).
  • Foreign Correspondent Jackie Northam
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    Foreign Correspondent Jackie Northam
  • All Songs Considered Host Bob Boilen in his former position as director of All Things Considered. NPR's program directors select the music you hear between segments, called "music buttons."
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    All Songs Considered Host Bob Boilen in his former position as director of All Things Considered. NPR's program directors select the music you hear between segments, called "music buttons."
  • The message from Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!'s Peter Sagal and Carl Kasell: "Will Pontificate for Food!"
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    The message from Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!'s Peter Sagal and Carl Kasell: "Will Pontificate for Food!"
  • All Things Considered host Robert Siegel reporting from China during the 2008 earthquake and its aftermath.
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    All Things Considered host Robert Siegel reporting from China during the 2008 earthquake and its aftermath.
  • Scott Simon hosting NPR's 2008 election night coverage.
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    Scott Simon hosting NPR's 2008 election night coverage.
  • Foreign correspondent based in Beijing, Louisa Lim, picks up some natural sound for a story in 2009.
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    Foreign correspondent based in Beijing, Louisa Lim, picks up some natural sound for a story in 2009.
  • National Desk reporter Audie Cornish reporting from the National Mall during the 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama.
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    National Desk reporter Audie Cornish reporting from the National Mall during the 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama.
  • Morning Edition's hosts Renee Montagne and Steve Inskeep in the studio.
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    Morning Edition's hosts Renee Montagne and Steve Inskeep in the studio.

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