Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm publish the first issue of Freedom's Journal, the first Black-owned and operated newspaper in the United States.
At a Glance
- Date
- 16 March 1827
- Location
- New York, New York
- Key people
- Samuel Cornish, John Russwurm
- Category
- Media & Journalism
- Source
- Freedom's Journal, March 16, 1827 · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
It gave Black Americans an independent voice against slavery and for citizenship.
What It Means Now
Freedom's Journal launched a tradition of the Black press that continues today.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Freedom's Journal, the First Black Newspaper.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/freedoms-journal-the-first-black-newspaper/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Freedom's Journal, the First Black Newspaper. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/freedoms-journal-the-first-black-newspaper/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Freedom's Journal, the First Black Newspaper.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/freedoms-journal-the-first-black-newspaper/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.