A Look at the Associated Press's 180-Year History and Major Events
Since its founding in 1846, the Associated Press has impartially covered events that shaped American and world history, from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address to the 2000 elections.
Founded 180 years ago in New York to reduce news costs, The Associated Press has grown into a deep-rooted news agency that reaches half the world's population today. Having witnessed numerous historical events on a global and national scale since its inception, the institution holds memories that have left a mark in the field of journalism.
The Founding and Early Years of the Agency
In 1846, five New York newspaper publishers pooled their resources to deliver news about the war with Mexico more quickly. This partnership laid the foundation for the international news agency that reaches billions of people worldwide today.
Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address
At the opening of the Gettysburg Cemetery in 1863, 21-year-old AP reporter Joseph Ignatius Gilbert, overwhelmed by the historical moment, briefly stopped taking notes. This important speech was recorded thanks to the president lending and copying his own handwritten speech text.
The End of World War II and Edward Kennedy
AP reporter Edward Kennedy made a major scoop by breaking an embargo after witnessing the ceremony announcing Germany's surrender to the allies. This exclusive report announcing the end of the war brought an end to Kennedy's career at the agency.
The Civil Rights Movement and Kathryn Johnson
Closely following the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, AP reporter Kathryn Johnson became the only journalist welcomed into the family's home on the night Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Thanks to the bond of trust she established with the family, she conveyed long-term exclusive interviews and observations.
The Prematurely Announced Death of Bob Hope
In 1998, an obituary draft prepared by AP editors for future publication was mistakenly sent to subscribers, creating a false perception that famous comedian Bob Hope had died. This mistake, which even members of Congress believed, once again highlighted the balance of speed and verification for news agencies.
The 2000 Presidential Election and the Florida Chaos
During the 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, while other media outlets made early and erroneous projections, the AP did not act hastily on the grounds that the data was not sufficiently mature. Embracing the principle of delivering accurate news, the agency thus avoided a major fallacy.