Newspapers--In the Beginning
Publications for the mass audience have been around since Johannes Gutenberg ushered in the age of moveable metal type in 1447. Gutenberg's press proved to be a vital resource in disseminating the Bible and, later, books and periodicals. It's not surprising that many people assume that newspapers journeyed to America with the Pilgrims. But the first American paper wasn't published until 1690.
Boston's Publick Occurrences
Only four pages deep and planned as a monthly news publication, Publick Occurrences was printed in Boston by Richard Pierce on September 25, 1690. Its local news and opinions created quite a stir, and the newspaper was silenced after its first issue by an angry local government. The effect must have been daunting, since no other investor attempted to launch a news publication for the following 14 years.
Hark, the Boston News-Letter
Boston's postmaster, John Campbell, made the second attempt at creating an American newspaper. The Boston News-Letter was published April 17, 1704, and launched as a trade-news weekly. As a publication, the News-Letter was based on the substantial ad-to-news ratio the newspapers follow today. It offered space to people selling anything from land, farm implements, goods, and ships, to servants -- at rates between twelve pence up to five shillings.
Third Place Goes to Philadelphia
The distinction of being the third American newspaper went to Philadelphia's American Weekly Mercury, published on December 22, 1719. The paper focused on presenting news from abroad, staying out of the local news controversies that doomed Publick Occurrences. Newspapers finally came to New York on November 8, 1725 with the first publication of the New York Gazette.
