-
refers to the child newspaper vendors of the Gilded Age who were central to the 1899 New York City newsboys' strike against newspaper publishers like Joseph Pulitzer.
source-https://manshipmassmedia.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/carrying-the-banner-newsies-and-its-significance/ -
the opening of the Ellis Island immigration station, where a teenage girl named Annie Moore became the first immigrant to be processed. source- https://www.nps.gov/elis/index.htm -
Hearst bought the New York Journal, beginning fierce competition with Joseph Pulitzer's New York World. Their “newspaper wars” led to price changes that affected the newsboys.
source-https://newsiesthemusical.com/pdf/NewsiesStudyGuide.pdf -
During the war, newspaper sales skyrocketed because people wanted updates. Publishers raised the wholesale price of papers to 60 cents per 100 papers.
After the war ended, sales dropped—but publishers refused to lower the price, which became the main cause of the newsboys’ strike.
source-https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/newsies-on-strike-and-on-film -
Sinking of the USS Maine Newspapers used dramatic headlines to blame Spain, increasing sales even more. This helped push the U.S. into the war—and increased pressure on newsboys to sell more.
source-https://todayinhistory.blog/2018/02/15/february-15-1898-yellow-journalism/ -
Start of the Spanish–American War War coverage sold tons of papers. This is when the higher wholesale price became “normal,” setting the stage for the conflict with newsboys the next year. Temporary price spike
source-https://todayinhistory.blog/2022/04/25/april-25-1898-newsies-2/ -
Armistice (War Ends) Paper sales dropped after the war ended, but Pulitzer and Hearst kept their high rates. Newsboys were stuck paying the same high price even though fewer people wanted to buy papers.
source-https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/newsboys-strike/ -
Newsboys in New York begin refusing to sell The World and The Journal. The strike officially starts.
source-https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-newsies -
The strike spreads quickly. Newsboys march through the streets and block delivery wagons.
source-https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-newsies -
A huge rally is held at Irving Hall. Strikers give speeches and organize support from adults and other workers.
source-https://cityhallpark1899.com/newspaper-articles/new-york-times/july-22-1899/ -
the newsboys held a mass meeting at the New Irving Hall on Broome Street. publishers begin feeling pressure.
source-https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/newsboys-strike/ -
Newsboys gain major support from other unions, politicians, and the public. Some adults join their marches.
source-https://cityhallpark1899.com/newspaper-articles/morning-telegraph/july-25-1899/ -
“Kid Blink,” a well-known strike leader, gives speeches that draw massive crowds. Newspapers begin negotiating.
source-https://cityhallpark1899.com/newspaper-articles/the-evening-post/july-27-1899/ -
The publishers agree to a compromise:
The price stays 60 cents per 100 papers, but they will buy back any unsold papers.
This is a huge victory for the newsboys.
source-https://cityhallpark1899.com/newspaper-articles/morning-telegraph/july-25-1899/ -
The strike officially ends. Newsboys return to work with better conditions and more control over their earnings.
source-https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/blast-from-the-past-newsboy-strike-of-1899