Robert S. Abbott founds the Chicago Defender, which becomes the most influential Black newspaper in America.
At a Glance
- Date
- 5 May 1905
- Location
- Chicago, Illinois
- Key people
- Robert S. Abbott
- Category
- Media & Journalism
- Source
- Chicago Defender archives (1905) · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
It championed the Great Migration, urging Black Southerners to seek freedom in the North.
What It Means Now
The Defender's advocacy reshaped Black political and cultural life nationwide.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “The Chicago Defender Is Founded.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-chicago-defender-is-founded/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). The Chicago Defender Is Founded. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-chicago-defender-is-founded/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “The Chicago Defender Is Founded.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-chicago-defender-is-founded/.
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.