Eric Shackle's Column
By
Eric Shackle
New Page 1
Irish newspaper's world scoop
August 23, 1776 was a memorable day for the Belfast
(Northern Ireland) daily, News Letter, when it achieved one of the
greatest newspaper scoops of all time. It published the full text of the
American Declaration of Independence before that famous document was delivered
to King George III and the British Parliament.
Masthead image courtesy Sinéad Gibney. Check out her blog, Tent
of blue. |
At that time, the King's soldiers were engaged in
bloody fighting against George Washington's "rebels" in New York. The
US Congress had endorsed Jefferson's Declaration of Independence on "the
glorious fourth" of July, and ordered that copies should be sent to all of
the colonies.
A year earlier, these momentous events (as listed by
The History Place) had occurred:
July 5, 1775 - The Continental Congress adopts the
Olive Branch Petition which expresses hope for a reconciliation with Britain,
appealing directly to the King for help in achieving this. In August, King
George III refuses even to look at the petition and instead issues a
proclamation declaring the Americans to be in a state of open rebellion.
July 6, 1775 - The Continental Congress issues a
Declaration on the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms detailing the
colonists' reasons for fighting the British and states the Americans are
"resolved to die free men rather than live as slaves."
Here's how News Letter proudly recounts the
story of its "world exclusive" on its website's history page:
Today's sophisticated news gathering techniques,
which link the editorial offices by computer with worldwide news and picture
services, contrast starkly with the 18th Century when the printing of
international news depended on the arrival of packet boats from foreign or
British parts.
One such arrival provided the News Letter with
what can be justifiably claimed as the first genuine "world
exclusive". The boat carrying the first copy to leave America of the
Declaration of Independence, and bound for London, hit stormy waters off the
north coast of Ireland. The boat sought refuge in Londonderry port and
arrangements were made for the declaration to be sent on horseback to Belfast,
where it would be met by another ship for delivery to King George III.
Somehow, and in the best traditions of revelatory
journalism, the News Letter editor of the day gained access to the priceless
document and duly published it on the front page of the August 23, 1776
edition. Today there is a constant demand for copies of that famous and
historical front page.
Founded in 1737, the News Letter is one of
the world's oldest English-language newspapers. The London Gazette, first
published in 1665, is the oldest, but for the first 300 years or so it was
mostly published only two or three times a week. The Belfast News Letter
claims to be the oldest English-language DAILY newspaper.
Here is what it says about its long history:
The News Letter, now in its fourth century of
continuous publication, has come a long way since it first saw the light of
day in 1737.
In those far-off days it was printed in what is
now called Joy's Entry in Belfast, and was published by the original owner,
Francis Joy, under the "sign of the Peacock" in Bridge Street.
 The
peacock symbol has been synonymous with the newspaper ever since and appears
in a more modern format on today's masthead.
Initially a weekly paper, it became daily in 1855
and although some other newspapers originated before 1737, the News Letter is
distinguished by its continuity of publication and retention of the original
title.
On a recent visit to Northern Ireland, Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth described the longevity of the newspaper as "an
achievement in which the people of Northern Ireland can take great
pride".
There is no doubting our special place in
newspaper history, and in the daily life of the Province.
Now located at a modern publishing centre, modern
production systems include computerised typesetting, electronic page make-up,
satellite transmission services and full colour printing capability.
These significant advances have been successfully
utilised for business, agricultural, entertainment and lifestyle supplements
alongside sister titles like the Belfast News, and leading agriculture
newspaper Farming Life.
More recently, the News Letter has played a
prominent role in the search for peace and a political settlement in Northern
Ireland.
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