27 January 2000
*~ This was an assignment from my sophomore year at FU. The prompt was: YOU AND HISTORY One page preparator notes, to be handed in at class. Pick front page of NY Times for the day you were born and front page for 100 years earlier. Note major stories. Compare format of paper and changing times. I was born on the 9th of October in 1980. I think I did a pretty good job on this paper. Professor Wines never handed it back, so I'll never really know. It's not and example of shining critical theory, but it's a good read. I should also thank Kourtney for coercing me to go to class regardless of her notorious absence count. Thank you, Kourtney. Enjoy! ~*
You and History
����������� The format of the October 9, 1880 edition of The New York Times is basic.� The headlines introduce stories which run straight down to the bottom of the page and, if length demands, flow into the next column.� Beneath the headline is a single phrase summary of the article.� "THE RECEPTION TO GRANT" is followed by the phrase, "FURTHER PRAPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT PARADE," and the story.� There are no pictures.� There couldn't be any pictures.� There are no "dot com" advertisements.� There was no internet.� There are no� flashy fonts.� In fact, all the headlines are exactly the same size and font and each of the letters is capitalized.� These were the limits of the printing presses of the time.� There is nothing complex about VOLXXX, NO. 9,075 of The New York Times.
����������� The major stories of this edition are solely in the political realm of news.� "INDIANA'S STALWART SONS," "OHIO BEFORE THE CONTEST," and "THE RECEPTION TO GRANT" head the paper.� The only story not dealing with politics is "THE BOURBON SCHEME OF FRAUD."
����������� Taking into account both the format and the major stories of this edition, and allowing for the assumption that this paper adapts to the public's interests so as to maximize sales, the late nineteenth century hosted an American public whose common bond was the government.� Because of this rather unentertaining bond, people wanted their news given in a direct, simple manner that wasted no space or time.� Politics swept the headlines before anyone dreamed of the Yankees sweeping the World Series, or even dreamed of the Yankees.� This edition reflects a time when simplicity was a virtue and political progression, the string that bound together the shipmates of the harbors and the merchants of Harold Square.
����������� The format of the October 9, 1980 edition of The New York Times is much more flashy than its 1880 ancestor.� "All the News That's Fit to Print," is at the top of the front page.� Three pictures occupy much of the page.� The headlines are now scattered and the "continued on Page B7, Column 1" idea has allowed for more stories to top the paper.� The headlines themselves take on different fonts and sizes, each different one fitting its story.���
����������� A political story still remained supreme in the 1980 edition, however, the front page covered a much wider variety of interests.� "PENTAGON'S BUDGET COULD POSE PROBLEM IN CARTER CAMPAIGN" is the headline that most attracts attention.� Next to this story is a picture of Iraqi soldiers in the Iranian port city of Khurramshahr, accompanied by the story, "Iran Is Said to Be Receiving Arms And Medicines From North Korea."� To the left of this is a picture of the new Hunter College President, Donna E. Shalala, being hugged by Shirley Hufstedler, the Secretary of Education.� Below this is a story of toxic shock cases and the ever important picture of the Kansas City Royals after winning the playoff opener.� The stories are much more diverse and complexly formatted.
����������� VOL. CXXX, NO 44,731 of The New York Times reflects a metropolitan time.� Great advances in photography, television, and, of course, printing press capability, coupled with the rise in varied interests of the American people allows The New York Times to cover more than simply politics.� Specialization of jobs afforded people the time to pursue other interests and the paper adapted to this aesthetic upsurge.� This is why the front page of the October 9, 1980 edition of The New York Times touts a picture of a college president, a sports team, and a foreign country?s soldiers in battle.� The people of this time had access to much more information than the people of the preceding century, and the front page of The New York Times reflects this change.
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