Sonia Jaffe Robbins, Editing Workshop, G54.1123, WEEK V

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HEADLINES IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Headlines in United States broadsheets have evolved from layers of labels stacked on top of one another to the format we are familiar with.

The front page of The New York Times on Sept. 18, 1861, early in the Civil War
These headlines were one column wide, began at the top of the furthest left-hand column, and filled half of the column.

THE REBELLION.

No Battle on the Potomac.

More Skirmishing at the Outposts

A Deserter's Story of Rebel
Destitution.

A NORTH CAROLINA UNION REGIMENT.

Occupation of St. Joseph, and
Flight of the Enemy

Rumored Union Victory at
Lexington.

SUCCESS OF THE NATIONAL LOAN.

The proclamation of the Captain-General
of Cuba Alleged to be Bogus.

No Meeting of the Maryland
Legislature.

IMPORTANT FROM KENTUCKY.

The New York Times, April 15, 1865, the day after President Lincoln's assassination
These headlines are also one column wide

AWFUL EVENT

President Lincoln
Shot by an Assassin

The Deed Done at Ford's
Theatre Last Night

The Act of a Desperate Rebel

The President Still Alive at
Last Accounts

No Hopes Entertained of his
Recovery

Attempted Assassination of
Secretary Seward

Details of the Dreadful Tragedy

The modern banner head
The New York Times, Dec. 20, 1998

CLINTON IMPEACHED

HE FACES SENATE TRIAL, 2D IN HISTORY;
VOWS TO DO JOB TILL TERM'S 'LAST HOUR'

PRESIDENT DIGS IN

After Speaking of Vote,
He Confers on Iraq--
Halts the Bombing

Label heads occasionally creep back into modern headlines, usually as subsidiary heads. (The heads below the main one top the main story in the far right column. A photograph over five columns is under the remainder of the banner.)
The New York Times, December 28, 2004

TOLL IN UNDERSEA EARTHQUAKE PASSES 25,000
A THIRD OF THE DEAD ARE SAID TO BE CHILDREN

FEAR OF DISEASE

Thousands Are Missing
--Many Tourists
Are Killed

Last revision: January 16, 2005

Sonia Jaffe Robbins 1997-2005