Amsterdam News

The history of Amsterdam News –
one of New York’s popular newspapers

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Diverting away from the city of Amsterdam itself, we bring you more information about its name-related popular New York community newspaper - Amsterdam News. (Read more about New York in our New York articles section.)

The Amsterdam News is basically one of the leading newspapers in New York City. It was first established in December 4, 1909 by James H. Anderson, with an initial capital of $10. Since its first introduction, the Amsterdam News has been considered as one of the leading black weekly newspapers for most of the 20^th century.

African-American community newspaper

Owing to its ideal location in the center of Harlem, the Amsterdam News was the primary talking head for one of the largest African-American communities in the United States. As a people’s mouthpiece, the Amsterdam News generally placed emphasis on covering the black community’s society news. Thus, included in its sections are weddings, engagements, births and charity events.

The Amsterdam News is very popular throughout the city of New York, with the highest circulation of more than 100,000. One particular memorable record in the history of the Amsterdam News is the year 1940s when this medium became one of the four leading black newspapers in the country, along with The Pittsburgh Courier, The Afro-American, and The Chicago Defender.

Named after the avenue where its founder lived

According to its early history, the Amsterdam News was named after the avenue in which the founder, James H. Anderson, lived – in the black community once known as San Juan Hill. It was also at this area where the first issues of the newspaper were formed, out of Anderson’s home at 132 West 65^th Street. It was only in 1910 that the business offices were relocated. Also, during this early period, between 1910s to 20s, the Amsterdam News was wrote and edited by one of the renowned black journalists, T. Thomas Fortune.

In 1926, the wife of Edward Warren, one of the first publishers of the Amsterdam News purchased the paper. It was only in January 10, 1936 that the paper was resold to two West Indian physicians, who served respectively as editor-publisher and secretary-treasurer of the publication. Under their management, the now semi-weekly paper became the first African American newspaper to have all of its departments unionized. It was during this period in the history of the Amsterdam News that the paper started to focus on not only local, but also national events and issues as well. Many well-known personalities then contributed their works to the Amsterdam News, and it was Marvel Cooke, who became the paper’s first female new reporter.

Amsterdam News champions civil rights

Since its introduction, the Amsterdam News had championed a number of civil rights causes. As found out, the paper joined forces with other black papers during the Second World War to fight for civil rights in the armed forces. Then, in the 1950s and 60s, it was at the forefront in chronicling the events of the civil rights movement, like the well-known Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama, the Freedom Riders bus-burning incident, as well as a number of riots.

Malcolm X column publisher

The Amsterdam News started to pay attention on Malcolm X, and it was in the year 1958 that this paper began publishing one of its popular columns, the "God’s Angry Man". In 1971, the paper was bought for $2.3 million by a group of investors, which included Percy E. Sutton, a former Manhattan Borough President.

In 1983, Wilbert A. Tatum and several Harlem business associated purchased the paper, and they eventually began controlling interest. It was in December 1997 that the daughter of W.A Tatum named Eleanor Tatum was appointed to the position of publisher and editor in chief of the Amsterdam News. Their management continues up to the these days.

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Amsterdam Articles

• Amsterdam Holland - Amsterdam is a lively, vibrant, and liberal city, built on 90 islands and connected by 400 stone bridges, across 100 kilometres of canals.
• Amsterdam Netherlands - The center of the 17th century world economy, Amsterdam is also highly acclaimed for its rich heritage and tolerant character.
• Amsterdam Weather - Typically weather forecast for Amsterdam ranges from a little freezing in winter to beautiful sunny days in the summer.
• Flight to Amsterdam - There are several reputable web sites that provide online booking services for Amsterdam flights.
• Cheap Flight to Amsterdam - You will also find several well known websites providing online bookings for Amsterdam cheap flights.
• Amsterdam Airport - What sets Amsterdam Airport Schiphol apart from other European airports is that it offers a number of great attractions.
• Amsterdam Hotels - Whether it's business, passing through, or staying for a holiday, you will find an Amsterdam hotel the most convenient accommodation.
• Amsterdam Netherlands Hotel - Although more pricey, Amsterdam hotels enjoy high occupancy, so it's good to book well in advance or your arrival.
• Victoria Hotel Amsterdam - As one of the most remarkable historical and architectural Amsterdam buildings, Victoria Hotel offers luxury and name.
• Swissotel Amsterdam - Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the Swissotel offers 4-star personalized service to make your holiday in Amsterdam enjoyable.
• Cheap Amsterdam Hotel - If budget is on your mind then you will find that cheap Amsterdam hotels can provide great accommodation, often in the heart of the city.
• Cheap Hotel in Amsterdam - It's worthy to note that Amsterdam offers a wide selection of cheap hotels. These include Renaissance, Park, Ibis, and Marriott hotels.
• Amsterdam Red Light District - For five centuries, the Amsterdam's Red Light District has been servicing the personal needs and desires of locals and visitors.
• Amsterdam Red Light - A very popular place in the Netherlands, Amsterdam Red Light district embraces all the virtues and vices known to people.
• Amsterdam CoffeeShops - The primary commodity in the Amsterdam coffeeshop is cannabis. And yes, they do sell coffee, too.
• Amsterdam Live - There are many acclaimed live music and entertainment hotspots. From Paradiso and Jazz Cafe Alto, to Kashmir Lounge and Boom Chicago.
• Amsterdam Map - To get around this great city, you will need a good Amsterdam map, offered by several web sites, to help you find places of interest.
• Amsterdam Vacation - The city of Amsterdam has an instant appeal, is easy to look at, pleasant to walk around, and with a welcoming attitude towards visitors.
• Amsterdam Travel - You can get to Amsterdam by air, train, or bus. To get around the city, use bus, metro, tram, bicycle, and of course go on foot.
• Amsterdam Marathon - As an extremely well-organized event, the Amsterdam Marathon is classified in the Golden League category by the IAAF.
• University of Amsterdam - Founded in 1632, the University of Amsterdam is one of Europe's major universities, with over 20,000 students in 60 disciplinary fields.
• Amsterdam Apartments - Some of the best holiday accommodation offered in the heart of the city can be found at different Amsterdam apartments.
• Amsterdam Hostels - Hostels in Amsterdam offer good accommodation and services, often amongst the best, within walking distance to many city's attractions.
• Amsterdam Bed & Breakfast - Countless and charming Amsterdam bed and breakfast houses are located in the heart if the city, offering good accommodation.
• Amsterdam Accommodation - A number of sites will help you find the right Amsterdam accommodation deals in hotels, apartments and bed & breakfast places.
• Hostels in Amsterdam - Good accommodation can be found at hostels Cosmos, AnneMarie, Lucky Lake, as well as Stayokay Vondelpark and Amigo Hotel.
• Amsterdam Tours - Amsterdam offers a whole variety of interesting tours. Apart from the 'red light district', there are great museums, libraries, and restaurants.
• Ajax Amsterdam - The Ajax Amsterdam football club is a world famous club with a very rich history, winning the national championship 27 times.
• Amsterdam Printing - At some stage you too have received a direct mail envelope, which had Amsterdam postmark, or a return address in the Netherlands.
• New Amsterdam Theatre - One New York's oldest theatres was named The New Amsterdam Theatre, which opened in 1903, as Broadway's oldest theatre house.