eNewsletter
You might be familiar with the phrase “All the News that’s Fit to Print” that appears on the front page of the New York Times. It appeared for the first time without much fanfare on February 10, 1897, but the phrase has remained iconic in the sphere of American journalism. Since then, All The News That’s Fit to Print Day is celebrated annually on February 10.
Newspapers have a long history in the United States, first being published in 1690 and playing a key role in influencing public opinion in the early days of our nation. Due to improved printing technology, newspapers surged in production and popularity in the 1830s. These papers were hyperlocal and focused on the news of the cities they were being printed in. When the Civil War began, wartime correspondents reported on major battles and kept civilians informed. For the rest of the century and well into the 1900s, newspapers were the primary source of news and a regular part of American life.
In the modern era, with the rise of digital technology, much of the news cycle began to shift to television and online news sources. According to the Pew Research Center, 86% of Americans get their news from digital devices. Print newspapers have struggled in recent years as more people switch to digital news, particularly young people. But even as traditional print news declines, the importance of “news that’s fit to print” remains crucial.
People want to know what’s going on in the world, in their country, in their state and in their hometown. Newspapers and journalists continue to play an important role in delivering the news that the public should know about. Newspapers are also important as a primary historical resource, highlighting news and events for anyone who wants to learn about history.
Whether you’re looking for current news or researching local history, the Yonkers Public Library has the resources you need. If you’re looking to read a more recent newspaper, contact your local branch to find out which papers they have on hand.
The Riverfront Library has local history resources on hand, including microfilm editions of local newspapers. Some of these publications are also available online through the Yonkers News Archive, which includes Yonkers-focused newspapers from 1883 to 1998.
No matter how you prefer to get your news, the Yonkers Public Library is here to make sure you have access to the newspaper.
Alison Robles is a part-time page at the Crestwood Library. She is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, history and science fiction. A Yonkers native, she graduated from Iona University in 2020 with a dual-degree in Marketing and Public Relations.