Newspapers cover the major daily events in our cities, states and country. They record and keep our history, so a big day in our history is a big day in ”newspaper history” as well.
As it turns out, March 4th is a REALLY big day in newspaper history. On this day in 1789, the first Congress of the United States met and declared the United States Constitution to be in effect; meaning the freedom of the press became the law of the land. That’s big! But March 4th is an important day in newspaper history for other reasons as well. You may be surprised to learn that until 1953, nearly all U.S. Presidents were inaugurated on March 4th. Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt were all inaugurated on this day in history.
Also, for some print industry history, forty-two years ago today People Magazine was available for the first time and twenty-seven years ago Time, Inc. and Warner Communications announced their plans to merge. Finally, perhaps the single most important day in newspaper history, Samuel Cole opened the first tavern in Boston on this day in 1634 (wink wink.) Have a great March 4th!
Jim Jinks
The Print Observer - Newspaper & Magazine Advertising Insights 