Night of Nights
July 12
About Night of Nights
Night of Nights is an annual commemoration of maritime Morse code radio, marking the anniversary of the last commercial Morse transmission sent in the United States. It takes place every year on 12 July, and in 2026 falls on Sunday 12 July, when enthusiasts bring historic coast station KPH back to life and fill the airwaves with Morse code once more.
The Story Behind Night of Nights
For most of the twentieth century, Morse code was the international language of communication at sea. Coast radio stations dotted along the shoreline kept in constant contact with ships, passing messages, weather reports, and distress calls across the oceans in the rhythmic dots and dashes that generations of radio operators knew by heart.
That era came to a close on 12 July 1999, when the last commercial Morse code transmissions in the United States were sent. Morse was being replaced by the satellite based Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, and the famous Bay Area stations KPH and KFS fell silent. For the operators who had devoted their working lives to the craft, it was the end of a chapter that had defined maritime communication for decades.
On that very night, two enthusiasts, Tom Horsfall and Richard Dillman, formed the Maritime Radio Historical Society to preserve the heritage and skills of maritime radio. In 2000, one year after the final commercial message, they launched the first Night of Nights, returning KPH to the air to prove that the art of Morse had not died. The event has been held every 12 July since.
When and Where is Night of Nights Celebrated?
Night of Nights takes place on Sunday 12 July 2026. The date is fixed each year. The heart of the event is the historic KPH station within the Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, California, north of San Francisco. From the early evening Pacific time through to midnight, volunteer operators transmit in Morse code, and amateur radio operators around the world tune in and make contact.
Traditions and Customs
The evening follows a cherished pattern built around the revival of Morse code:
- Returning KPH to the air – The historic station transmits live in Morse code, often beginning in the early evening and running until midnight.
- Commemorative messages – Operators send tributes to the maritime radio service and the operators who came before them.
- Listening in worldwide – Radio enthusiasts across the globe tune in to hear and log the historic transmissions.
- Amateur contacts – Ham radio operators attempt to make contact with the station and exchange greetings in Morse.
- Honouring silent keys – The event remembers operators who have passed away, keeping their memory alive.
Ways to Celebrate Night of Nights
Whether you are a seasoned radio operator or simply curious, there are several ways to take part:
- Tune in – Listen for the historic transmissions if you have access to a suitable radio receiver.
- Learn Morse code – Use the occasion to start learning the dots and dashes that once spanned the oceans.
- Visit Point Reyes – If you are in the area, the receiving station and museum offer a window into maritime radio history.
- Explore radio history – Read about the coast stations and operators who kept ships in touch with the shore.
- Support preservation – Back the volunteers and societies who keep these historic stations operational.
- Share the story – Introduce others to the heritage of Morse code and maritime communication.
Facts and Figures
- The last commercial Morse code transmissions in the United States were sent on 12 July 1999.
- The Maritime Radio Historical Society was formed on the same night to preserve the heritage.
- The first Night of Nights was held in 2000.
- Historic station KPH operates from Point Reyes National Seashore in California.
- Morse code was replaced at sea by the satellite based Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Night of Nights?
It is an annual event commemorating maritime Morse code radio, when historic coast station KPH returns to the air to transmit in Morse on the anniversary of the last US commercial Morse transmission.
When is Night of Nights in 2026?
It falls on Sunday 12 July 2026, and is observed on 12 July every year.
Why is Night of Nights held on 12 July?
The date marks 12 July 1999, when the last commercial Morse code transmissions in the United States were sent before the service closed.
Spread the Word
Share Night of Nights with your community using #NightOfNights and #NightOfNights2026. Whether you mark the occasion by tuning in, learning Morse code, or simply sharing the story, every bit of awareness helps keep this piece of radio heritage alive.
Related Awareness Days
- International Asteroid Day – Another science and technology day for the curious minded.
- National Meteor Watch Day – A day celebrating the wonders of science and the night sky.
- National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day – Another day devoted to preserving a treasured tradition.
Links
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