October marks National Newspaper Week, an annual celebration of the critical role newspapers and their employees play in North America. Newspapers serve as the “first rough draft of history,” capturing current events and preserving them for future generations. Whether reporting on national headlines or small-town stories, newspapers are vital to documenting our lives.
As Thomas Jefferson said in 1787, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” His words remind us that newspapers are a cornerstone of democracy, informing the public and holding power accountable.
Even small-town weekly Whether it’s a birth announcement, a local sports recap, or a public notice, every page holds significance.
Here are a few interesting facts:
– Early newspaper publishers were often also postmasters.
– The Hartford Courant, founded in 1764, is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the U.S.
– Newspapers evolved from weeklies in the 1790s to daily publications.
– The term “yellow journalism” refers to sensationalized reporting, a common practice before 1923.
– In 1923, journalism standards shifted, focusing on unbiased news reporting.
National Newspaper Week, sponsored by Newspaper Association Managers since 1940, began as a response to the suppression of the free press during Nazi rule in Europe. Today, it still emphasizes the importance of a free and independent press.
Celebrate by thanking your local newspaper staff, writing a letter to the editor, or subscribing to support local journalism. Newspapers support your library by sharing this column, and in return, your library offers access to newspapers and subscriptions for all to enjoy.
“Newspapers cannot be defined by the second word—paper. They’ve got to be defined by the first word—news.” —Arthur Sulzberger, Jr.
Sources: https://www.nationalnewspaperweek.com/, https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/october/national-newspaper-week-first-sunday-in-october, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Ochs_Sulzberger_Jr. Accessed: September 25, 2024