Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
"I am very pleased to be here today for the 150th Anniversary of the Associated Press, the nation's oldest and largest news service," Mayor Giuliani said. "The history of modern day America has been faithfully chronicled by the Associated Press. During many of our country's most tragic and triumphant moments, the Associated Press has been there to relay history to the nation with unparalleled accuracy and fairness. From the humblest of beginnings, the AP has grown into an influential force, serving more than 15,000 newspaper, radio and television outlets around the world.
"Today also marks the opening of an exhibit that celebrates the proud history of this news organization," the Mayor continued. "Many of the critical moments in our nation's history are depicted here at the AP Exhibit. For instance, in 1863 an AP correspondent documented the words of President Lincoln in what would become the most reliable account of the Gettysburg Address. Two years later, Lawrence Gobright, AP's first Washington D.C. correspondent, filed the dispatch notifying the world that President Lincoln had been shot at Ford's Theater.
"At the turn of the century, Mark Twain said 'There are only two forces that can carry light to all the corners of the globe and only two -- the sun in the heavens and the Associated Press down here.' Almost a century later, the Associated Press continues to shed light on the issues of the world with its fair and impartial coverage of news. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I am very proud to congratulate AP on 150 years of service to the American people while adhering to the highest standards of excellence," the Mayor concluded.
Joining the Mayor at today's event were Louis D. Boccardi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Associated Press, Peter Prichard of Newseum and the journalists and staff of AP. Mr. Boccardi presented the Mayor with a copy of Flash! The Associated Press Covers the World, a commemorative book containing more than 150 AP historical photographs used in the exhibit.
The AP Exhibit features many historic artifacts, including rosary beads made by AP correspondent Terry Anderson during his captivity in Lebanon, a House of Representatives press pass from the 19th Century and fire-damaged photos salvaged from the wreck of the Hindenberg airship.
The Associated Press was formed in 1848 when six New York City newspapers began to pool their efforts to collect international news, offsetting the cost of transmitting news by telegraph. AP pioneered the concept of fair and impartial news reporting, a move that influenced journalism in the United States and abroad. Today, the Associated Press serves 1,700 newspapers and 6,000 broadcast outlets nationwide. AP stories, photos and video and audio segments are printed and broadcast to more than 15,000 news organizations in 112 countries.
The journalists and photographers of the AP have been awarded 43 Pulitzer Prizes for outstanding achievement in news coverage. Earlier today at AP headquarters at Rockefeller Center, 23 journalists who have lost their lives while covering stories for the Associated Press were honored at a memorial service.
Newseum/NY, a photojournalism gallery, features exhibits, lectures, films and other activities focusing on journalism and First Amendment issues. Newseum/NY is a branch of Newseum, located in Arlington, Virginia, the only interactive museum of news.