# Is there a web site where I can view the first front pages of famous Newspapers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 8, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-web-site-where-i-can-view-the-first-front-pages-of-famous-newspapers/584699 "2011-06-08T02:24:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-web-site-where-i-can-view-the-first-front-pages-of-famous-newspapers/584699/1 "2011-06-08T02:24:02Z")
I know they are sometimes collected in books, but I’ve had very little luck finding the front page of the first issue of famous newspapers. Perhaps I just suck at searching. I’m looking for the NY Times front page from its very first issue, but would adore seeing many others. Anyone know a website that has them? ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-web-site-where-i-can-view-the-first-front-pages-of-famous-newspapers/584699/2 "2011-06-08T02:29:23Z")
Yes. I have used this for my classroom. > **[Homepage - Freedom Forum](https://www.freedomforum.org/)** > > The Freedom Forum’s mission is to foster First Amendment freedoms for all. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-web-site-where-i-can-view-the-first-front-pages-of-famous-newspapers/584699/3 "2011-06-08T03:26:08Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > Yes. I have used this for my classroom. > > [Homepage - Freedom Forum](http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/) And if you’re ever in DC, make sure you stop by the Newseum in person. It was one of my favorite stops. At least walk by the outside, and see front pages from all the states on display. -D/a ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-web-site-where-i-can-view-the-first-front-pages-of-famous-newspapers/584699/4 "2011-06-08T04:48:04Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > And if you’re ever in DC, make sure you stop by the Newseum in person. It was one of my favorite stops. I was going to make pretty much the exact same comment. Probably the most enjoyable museum I’ve ever visited. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-web-site-where-i-can-view-the-first-front-pages-of-famous-newspapers/584699/5 "2011-06-08T05:10:36Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > Yes. I have used this for my classroom. > > [Homepage - Freedom Forum](http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/) Huh? That’s a great website, but i believe the OP is looking for the front page of the **very first edition** of the papers, not **today’s** front page. I don’t see any links for historical front pages on that site. Anyway, OP, here’s the front page of the first issue of the _New York Times_. It was September 18, 1851, although the paper was called the _New York Daily Times_ until 1857. [Link](https://jshare.johnshopkins.edu/mhender4/public_html/gen_images/1851-18-09_nyt.pdf) (PDF) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-web-site-where-i-can-view-the-first-front-pages-of-famous-newspapers/584699/6 "2011-06-08T12:17:27Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > Yes. I have used this for my classroom. > > [Homepage - Freedom Forum](http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/) 😕 I guess I wasn’t clear. I meant the first front page from their very first issue…sometimes from a couple hundred years ago. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-web-site-where-i-can-view-the-first-front-pages-of-famous-newspapers/584699/7 "2011-06-08T23:28:28Z")
I’m not sure where you live, but many public libraries in the US have “Newspaperarchive” as a resource. Quite often you have to use it in the library. It _might_ help with some. Also, some Universities have access to Proquest Historical Newspapers. That will get you a few more.