 WKDN began broadcasting as WPEN on April 19, 1929, originally as a 250-watt station on 1500 kHz.The frequency was previously shared by the Pennsylvania School of Wireless Telegraphy's WPSW, which went on the air in 1926, and Bethayres-based WALK, which launched in 1927; both stations were acquired by William Penn Broadcasting and merged to create WPEN.In its early years, it was known for Italian-language programming, and was co-owned with another major Italian-oriented station, WOV in New York City.