History

For nearly two centuries, The New York Times has set the standard for American journalism. In service of our mission to seek truth and help people understand the world, we strive every day to produce news and information that is unmatched in its breadth, depth, quality and trustworthiness.

A selection of noteworthy front pages from across The Times’s history, starting with the first edition on September 18, 1851.

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A History of Independence, Innovation and Editorial Excellence

Founded in 1851 as the New-York Daily Times, the paper aimed to distinguish itself from the sensationalist press of the era through deep, serious-minded reporting. The newspaper’s reputation for quality was still strong when the paper changed hands in 1896. The new owner, Adolph Ochs, made his famous pledge of The Times independence, promising to “give the news impartially, without fear or favor, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved.”

Over its long history, The Times has published more than 20 million articles in over 64,000 days of publication. Today, our website, app, podcasts and videos offer an ever-expanding array of journalism. But even as the way we deliver the news has evolved, our journalistic mission has never wavered.

Often called “the paper of record,” The Times is recognized as the global leader in deeply reported journalism and journalistic innovation.

Advertising poster, Easter 1896.
Telegram from Effie Ochs to Adolph Ochs, Aug. 13, 1896.
Times Tower, by Hugh Ferriss.
Nameplates, Jan. 1, 1896, and Feb. 10, 1897.
Article, Nov. 8, 1904.
The Mid-Week Pictorial, Dec. 31, 1914.
Pulitzer Gold Medal, 1917.
Lester Bernstein’s typewriter.
“Get All the News and Get It Right.” George Krikorian, 1951.
Eagle logo, 1958.
Nameplates.
“The New York Times Rewrite” patch.
The 96-point headline was the largest ever.
“Piano keys” logo, 1971.
“Free The Times 22” button.
Marketing buttons, late 1970s.
The New York Times Company Annual Report, 1980.
@times home page on AOL, May 1994.
New York Times Cooking.
Bill Cunningham Corner sign, 2016.
“The Yield Curve,” March 18, 2015.
“The Truth Is Hard” marketing campaign, 2017.
“How the Virus Won,” June 24, 2020.

A Family Tradition and a Public Trust

The company continues to be stewarded by Ochs’s descendants, who regard The Times as a public trust and have committed to protecting its editorial independence and integrity. Five generations have withstood pressure from governments around the world, won crucial victories for press freedoms and prioritized providing the public with trustworthy journalism above all else.