Maryland Gazette facts for kids
The Gazette, first known as The Maryland Gazette, is one of America's oldest newspapers. It started way back in 1727! Today, it's based with another newspaper called The Capital in Annapolis, Maryland. In 2014, a company called The Baltimore Sun Media Group bought The Gazette. Before that, it was owned by Capital Gazette Communications, which also published other local papers like The Capital, Bowie Blade-News, Crofton-West County Gazette, and Capital Style Magazine.
Contents
The Gazette: A Look at America's Oldest Newspaper
Early Days: The Maryland Gazette
The Maryland Gazette began publishing in 1727. It was founded by a man named William Parks. This made it one of the very first newspapers in the American colonies. Imagine getting your news from a paper that's almost 300 years old!
Anne Catharine Hoof Green: A Pioneering Publisher
After William Parks, the newspaper was later run by a woman named Anne Catharine Hoof Green. She took over the paper in 1765 after her husband died. This was very unusual for the time. She was one of the first female newspaper publishers in America. She also printed official government documents for the colony of Maryland.
Newspapers and Colonial Times
Newspapers like The Maryland Gazette were very important during the colonial period. They helped people share news, ideas, and opinions. This was especially true during big events like the American Revolution.
Reporting on Important Events
One important event The Maryland Gazette reported on was the Stamp Act of 1765. This was a law from Britain that made colonists pay a special tax on printed materials. Many colonists were very upset about it. The Maryland Gazette showed its feelings by printing a skull and crossbones where the tax stamp should have been. This showed their strong protest against the new law.
Sharing Different Views
Newspapers also allowed people to discuss important figures. For example, The Maryland Gazette sometimes printed strong opinions about politicians. One person they wrote about was Samuel Chase, who later became a Supreme Court Justice. The paper was a place where different viewpoints could be shared.
The Gazette Today
Over many years, The Maryland Gazette became known simply as The Gazette. It continued to serve the communities in Maryland.
Modern Ownership
For a long time, The Gazette was part of a group called Capital Gazette Communications. This group also published other local newspapers like The Capital. In 2014, a larger company, The Baltimore Sun Media Group, bought these newspapers. This change brought The Gazette under new ownership, but it continues its long tradition of reporting local news.
