New York Times Marks 175 Years With Gala and Historical Reflection
The New York Times celebrated its 175th anniversary on September 18, 2026, with a high-profile event in Manhattan and a historical retrospective. While the paper highlights its role as a 'newspaper of record' and its current 13 million subscriber base, critics point to significant historical failures, including the Iraq War coverage and delayed reporting on the Holocaust.
Key points
- The New York Times held a 175th-anniversary celebration in Tribeca, Manhattan, featuring guests like Robert De Niro, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Janelle Monáe.
- The event included an exhibition of historical artifacts, such as a press patch from the Iraq bureau and a Pulitzer Prize medallion, alongside a signature '175 Spritz' cocktail.
- The paper was founded in 1851 by Henry Jarvis Raymond and George Jones, with Adolph Ochs purchasing it in 1896 and establishing the motto 'All the News That's Fit to Print.'
- The Times currently boasts over 13 million subscribers, the largest paid base of any news organization, and has transitioned from a print-focused model to a digital, global newsroom.
- The Museum at the Times, curated by David W. Dunlap, acknowledges historical shortcomings, including slow coverage of the AIDS epidemic and the Holocaust, alongside major achievements like the Pentagon Papers.
Background
The New York Times has been a central figure in U.S. media for over a century. Recent developments include legal disputes with OpenAI over AI training data and the publication of various cultural lists, such as the 2026 best restaurants in the U.S. The 175th anniversary serves as a milestone reflecting the paper's evolution from a 19th-century daily to a modern digital media company.
How outlets are covering it
The New York Times and Smithsonian Magazine emphasize the paper's legacy of integrity, citing Adolph Ochs' 1896 pledge to provide impartial news and the paper's role in covering major historical events like the Civil War and the Vietnam War. In contrast, Daily Kos criticizes the publisher, A.G. Sulzberger, for minimizing serious journalistic failures, specifically pointing to the 2002 Iraq WMD coverage, the 2016 election coverage, and the delayed reporting on the Holocaust. While the Times acknowledges mistakes in its museum, Daily Kos argues these omissions are insufficient given the devastating impacts of those errors.
Why it matters
The 175th anniversary highlights the enduring influence of the New York Times as a 'newspaper of record' in a rapidly changing media landscape. The debate over its historical accuracy and ethical standards reflects broader concerns about the role of legacy media in shaping public opinion and holding power accountable.
What to watch
The New York Times will continue to navigate the challenges of the digital age, including competition from AI and evolving reader expectations. The paper's ability to adapt while maintaining its core values will be crucial for its future relevance and influence.
- The New York Times Celebrates 175 Years The New York Times
- Opinion | A.G. Sulzberger: The Story of America, Told in 15 Million First Drafts of History The New York Times
- Opinion | The New York Times turns 175 and looks back at the good and the bad Poynter
- The Founders of the 'New York Times' Pledged to Cover 'Every Subject of Public Importance.' 175 Years Later, the Paper Continues to Publish 'All the News That's Fit to Print' Smithsonian Magazine
- New York Times publisher lauds paper and minimizes massive blunders Daily Kos
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