The 180-Year History of The Associated Press and Its Place in the Press Industry
Since its founding in 1846, The Associated Press has covered major events in United States history and provided news to billions of people worldwide.
Founded 180 years ago by publishers in New York who banded together to cut costs, The Associated Press has grown into a global organization that has recorded the most critical moments in U.S. history and formed the backbone of the news industry.
Foundation and Early Years
Exactly 180 years ago, several newspaper executives in New York came up with the idea of pooling resources to reduce news costs.
With five newspaper publishers reaching an agreement in 1846, mail trains and telegraph lines were used to deliver news about the war with Mexico.
Coverage of Historical Events
The organization has chronologically recorded the country's major moments throughout most of the American republic's 250-year history.
Reporter Joseph Ignatius Gilbert covered President Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863.
Major Headlines and Mistakes
At the end of World War II, AP reporter Edward Kennedy announced Germany's surrender, but lost his job due to embargo controversies.
The organization has also made some mistakes throughout its history, mistakenly publishing an early obituary for comedian Bob Hope in 1998.
Critical Turning Points and Elections
During the Civil Rights Movement, reporter Kathryn Johnson closely followed the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.
In the 2000 U.S. presidential election, it avoided the erroneous projections of television networks and adopted the principle of accurate journalism.