The Associated Press's 180-Year History and Its Place in the Press World

Founded in 1846 when five New York newspaper publishers pooled their resources, The Associated Press has evolved into a global news network that delivers news to half the world's population today.

The Birth of the Associated Press

Founded in 1846 when five newspaper publishers pooled their resources to accelerate news coverage of the war with Mexico, the organization eventually became the backbone of the media industry. Today, nearly half of the world's population is informed every day by news produced by this agency.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Twenty-one-year-old AP reporter Joseph Ignatius Gilbert stopped taking notes during Abraham Lincoln's historic Gettysburg Address in 1863, and then ensured the speech was recorded for history when the president lent him his manuscript.

The End of World War II and Edward Kennedy

Covering the surrender ceremony in France, AP reporter Edward Kennedy broke the embargo rule imposed by the allies to announce to the world that Germany had surrendered, though this move led to him losing his job.

The Civil Rights Movement and Kathryn Johnson

AP reporter Kathryn Johnson stayed at Martin Luther King Jr.'s family home following his assassination in 1968, following events from the inside and signing off on exclusive reports that drew attention for their professional success.

The Prematurely Announced Death of Bob Hope

The agency accidentally sending a draft text in the preparation stage to subscribers caused comedian Bob Hope's obituary to spread rapidly to congress and the world press, resulting in brief chaos.

The 2000 Presidential Election and the Florida Crisis

While television networks made erroneous early calls during the 2000 race between George W. Bush and Al Gore, the AP meticulously examined the numbers, avoided acting hastily, and narrowly avoided a major mistake.