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The late 19th century saw the creation of a modern industrial economy. A national transportation and communication network was created, the corporation became the dominant form of business organization, and a managerial revolution transformed business operations.
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On New Year’s Day 1892, Annie Moore, a teenage girl from Ireland, becomes the very first immigrant to be processed on America’s Ellis Island. Annie, along with her two younger brothers, kick off an immigration era that, over the next 62 years, brings more than 12 million immigrants through Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor off the New Jersey coast.
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The New York Journal (Hearst) and the New York World (Pulitzer) begin competing fiercely. Sensational headlines boost sales and depend heavily on newsboys to distribute papers.
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Newspapers explode in popularity. Huge demand for war stories publishers raise the wholesale price newsboys must pay for papers. After the war ends, the price does NOT go back down, causing anger among the newsboys and setting the stage for the 1899 strike.
[source](Library of Congress - NewspapersLinks to an external site.) -
The battleship Maine sinks in Havana Harbor.
Yellow-press headlines (“Remember the Maine!”) drive America toward war making newspaper sales skyrocket.
[source](Library of Congress - Newspapers) -
Newspapers reach record circulation levels. Publishers keep prices high for newsboys because war news sells extremely well.
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With the war over, sales drop. But Pulitzer and Hearst refuse to lower their prices to pre-war levels, keeping them at 60¢ per 100 papers, directly causing the 1899 strike.
[source](18. The Kids Who Shouted the News (click the play button by The New York Herald of July 30, 1899)Links to an external site.) -
Newsboys meet in City Hall Park, beginning organized protest against the World and Journal.
[source](18. The Kids Who Shouted the News (click the play button by The New York Herald of July 30, 1899)) -
The strike officially begins in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Thousands refuse to sell Pulitzer’s and Hearst’s papers.
[source](18. The Kids Who Shouted the News (click the play button by The New York Herald of July 30, 1899)) -
Large meeting near Frankfort Street. Leaders give speeches. Violence against “scabs” (replacement sellers) reported.
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Mass rally at New Irving Hall. Thousands of newsboys from all boroughs attend. Resolutions passed to continue the strike.
[source](18. The Kids Who Shouted the News (click the play button by The New York Herald of July 30, 1899)Links to an external site.) -
Strike gains public support. Circulation of the World and Journal drops sharply.
[source](20. https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/newsies-on-strike-and-on-film) -
Rumors spread that Kid Blink took bribes (not proven). Leadership reshuffles, but the strike continues.
[source](19. https://gvshp.org/blog/2015/07/21/extra-extra-this-week-in-history-newsies-strike-of-1899/) -
Publishers offer a compromise: Newsboys can return unsold papers for a refund. This protects them from losing money.
[source](18. The Kids Who Shouted the News (click the play button by The New York Herald of July 30, 1899)Links to an external site.) -
Strike officially ends.Newsboys return to selling papers under improved terms.
[source](19. https://gvshp.org/blog/2015/07/21/extra-extra-this-week-in-history-newsies-strike-of-1899/)