The History and Major Milestones of The Associated Press
The Associated Press has continued its global journalism operations since the day it was founded by New York publishers to reduce costs.
Delivering news to billions of people around the world, The Associated Press has followed important moments in global history since the Mexican-American War.
Founding Years and First Steps
Established when five New York newspaper publishers pooled their resources to cut costs, the agency has become the backbone of the news industry.
Created to transmit news from the Mexican War quickly, this structure today reaches a significant portion of the world's population.
Coverage of Historical Events and the Gettysburg Address
Recording the nation's major moments since its founding, agency reporters have been at the center of historical events.
A young reporter covering President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was so moved by the speech that he briefly stopped taking notes.
World War II and the Great Headline
Agency reporter Edward Kennedy, who broke the news of Germany's surrender to the Allied forces, bypassed military censorship to announce the news to the world.
The reporter, who was dismissed at the time due to this move, was vindicated years later when the agency management acknowledged his correctness.
Civil Rights Movement and Field Reporting
One of the events proving the importance of field reporting took place during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., a reporter who was welcomed into his family's home provided exclusive interviews and reports.