The Daily News is a major American tabloid newspaper founded in 1919 and based in New York City. It was the first successful tabloid in the United States, reaching a peak circulation of more than one million daily copies in the 1940s. The paper is known for its sensational stories and scandals, lurid photographs and entertainment coverage. It was a pioneer in using wire photo service in the 1930s and is considered a precursor of USA Today.
The News was purchased by publisher Mort Zuckerman in 1993, and began a series of big changes to revitalize the paper. Under the leadership of editor-in-chief Pete Hamill and later Debby Krenek, it repositioned itself as a serious newspaper, winning Pulitzer Prizes for E.R. Shipp’s pieces on social issues and Mike McAlary’s coverage of the Abner Louima case. It also developed a reputation for advocating for the rights of people who were often ignored by other media outlets.
Local news—people, places and events that make the city of New York unique. Club news about meetings, activities and special events sponsored by civic, service, fraternal and social organizations. Business news about new businesses, promotions and hiring at companies in the region. Education news about college honors, awards and graduations, school concerts and plays and parent-teacher group meetings. Community news about town government, parks and libraries along with events at churches and other venues.
National and local politics—with a heavy emphasis on the city of New York, and especially the Yankees, Mets and Giants. Sports news—from the games to the players, fantasy teams and stats.
In the 1920s, the New York Daily News found abundant subject matter in political wrongdoing—like the Teapot Dome Scandal and Wallis Simpson’s romance with King Edward VIII that led to his abdication. It also emphasized titillating and risqué news and a large staff of photographers.
The paper remained in the 42nd Street location until 1995, when it moved to a larger headquarters at 450 West 33rd Street (known as Manhattan West). Its former home, the landmark Art Deco News Building designed by John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood, still stands at 220 East 42nd Street and features a giant globe in its lobby; it was used as the model for the Daily Planet building in the first two Superman films.
The Yale Daily News Historical Archive has been made possible by generous gifts from anonymous donors, allowing us to move the site to a modern platform and expand its collection of digital newspapers and scholarly tools for studying them. The Archive is currently open to all, free of charge. Additional donations are welcome, and can be made here. The Digital Archive is an invaluable resource for researchers and students of journalism, the history of ideas, the evolution of print publishing and media, and more. The Archive is a part of the Yale University Library and is maintained by the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. The Library is grateful to the donors who have supported this project.
