Michigan Minute
Michigan's First Newspaper | August 31
Today in 1809, the first and possibly only issue of "The Michigan Essay or The Impartial Observer" was published by Father Gabriel Richard in Detroit. The four-page paper, printed by James M. Miller, promised weekly issues but never saw a second volume. A subscription cost $5 for Detroit residents and $4 for others—a steep price for its time.
- Duration:
- 1m
- Broadcast on:
- 31 Aug 2024
- Audio Format:
- mp3
It's August 31st and this is your Michigan Minute. It was over 200 years ago today that the very first newspaper was published in Michigan. It was the first and probably only issue of the Michigan essay or the impartial observer and a roll-hot off the printing press of Father Gabriel Richard today in 1809. It was a four-page paper by James M. Miller and I promised that it would put out an issue every Thursday, but shaking starts, that's a common thing back then and the Michigan essay was indeed no exception. There is no record of a volume two ever being printed of the Michigan essay, but it did say a year's subscription to the paper would cost Detroit residents $5, non-Detroiters $4 a year, rather a steep price in the 19th century Michigan for a single issue paper. And that's your Michigan Minute. [MUSIC PLAYING]