As the first draft of history, American newspapers have preserved essential records and detailed accounts of the people, issues and events that shaped the nation for hundreds of years. In the 1800s, American newspapers were often published by small-town printers and reflected the interests and values of the communities they served. But as the country grew and changed, so too did its newspapers. In the 19th century, the number of titles published rose dramatically, and newspapers were transformed by an increasing emphasis on society, industry, scientific advances, investigative journalism and human-interest stories. By the early 20th century, nearly every town in the United States had its own newspaper.
An essential digital record of American history, culture and daily life
This expansive digital collection of early American newspapers is the most extensive resource of its kind. Featuring nearly 7,300 titles from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., Early American Newspapers provides an unparalleled record of daily life in hundreds of diverse American communities. Through eyewitness reporting, editorials, legislative updates, letters, poetry, advertisements, election returns, matrimony and death notices, maps, cartoons, illustrations and more, these historical newspapers offer researchers essential local and national perspectives on American history, culture and daily life across more than three centuries. Advanced capabilities allow users to search or browse by date or era, by language, by place of publication or individual title. Users can easily view, magnify, print and save digital images of whole issues, pages and individual articles.
More than 90 sources and superior bibliographic control
Early American Newspapers was created through partnerships with the American Antiquarian Society, the Library of Congress, the Wisconsin Historical Society and more than 90 other institutions. This joint effort has led to the creation of a historical newspaper collection of unparalleled breadth and depth. A distinguished academic advisory board guides the title selection process.
Flexible, enduring archival access
Early American Newspapers collections offer academic institutions flexible options to build an enduring, perpetual archive. Available in Series 1 through 20, content can also be acquired by era, decade, or by U.S. region and state. Whether supporting a specific course, expanding a subject area, or building a comprehensive collection over time, these options allow you to meet your institution’s teaching and research goals.
