New Historical Newspapers databases available

The intuitive search interface makes it easy to find relevant information. For example, you can search by more than 20 document types, keyword, publication date ranges, specific dates, author or document title. Users can also browse newspapers by issue and download articles and pictures in PDF format.  Newspaper titles are cross-searchable allowing you to follow news coverage across continents from multiple perspectives.

* marked titles are updated annually.

Europe

The Guardian, coverage 1821 – 2003 ja The Observer, coverage 1791 – 2003

The British newspaper Guardian was founded in 1821 as The Manchester Guardian, but changed its name in 1959. The Observer, the world’s oldest Sunday paper, was first published in 1791.  George Orwell, Vita Sackville-Est, Clive James and Philip Toynbee are among the writers who have contributed to Observer. The Guardian and The Observer have reputations for fearless reporting and controversial opinions.

The Scotsman, coverage 1817 – 1950

The Scotsman was launched in 1817. It has captured the turmoil and change occurring on both sides of the Atlantic during the 19th and 20th centuries. First established as a radical political paper, it today continues to provide uniquely Scottish analysis of local and global events. Because The Scotsman is delivered on the same platform as The Guardian, The Observer and the Irish Times, researchers can easily compare facts and opinions conveyed in these newspapers and get a more comprehensive understanding of the modern history of the British Isles and Ireland.

Asia

South China Morning Post*, coverage 1903 – 1998

Provides news coverage of Hong Kong’s unique political and social history. For example, the Battle of Hong Kong in December, 1941, which led to the Japanese occupation during World War II; the Communist Revolution in China in 1949; and the industrialization and economic growth of Hong Kong.

Chinese Newspaper Collection 1832 – 1953

Includes the titles North China Herald, The China Press, China Critic, China Weekly Review, Chinese Recorder, Chinese Repository, Peking Daily News, Peking Gazette, Peking Leader, Shanghai Times, Shanghai Gazette, Canton Times      

The Chinese Newspapers Collection includes the archives of 12 English-language historical newspapers.  They provide, for example, news coverage of the Taiping Rebellion, the Opium Wars with Great Britain, the Boxer Rebellion and the events leading up to the 1911 Xinhai Revolution, and the subsequent founding of the Republic of China.

The Korea Times, coverage 1956 – 2016 

The Korea Times is globally recognized for its coverage of international business, economic and financial news as well as its perspective on regional issues and events. It provides an overview of issues from South Korea’s diplomatic relationship with its neighbors such as China, Russia and Japan, to the nuclear crisis in North Korea and relations between Korea and the U.S. It offers insight and analysis of such critical events as the April Revolution of 1960; the Vietnam War; the attempted assassination South Korean President Park Chung-hee; and the end of the Cold War. Contemporary coverage includes modern politics and culture in Korea, including the rule of Kim Jong II and Kim Jong-un in North Korea.

The Times of India, coverage 1838 – 2008

The world’s most widely circulated English daily newspaper was founded in 1838 to serve British residents of West India. Today this historical newspaper serves researchers interested in studying, for example, colonialism and post-colonialism, British and world history, class and gender issues, international relations, comparative religion, international economics and terrorism.

The Times of India illuminates key historical events such as the Sepoy Mutiny, which led to British rule in India; the formation of the Indian National Congress; and the rise of Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement. It captures the 1947 partitioning of India and Pakistan, the war over the Kashmir region, and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. In addition, it provides coverage of sports, the Indian film industry, and other stories of everyday life.

North America

The Globe and Mail*, coverage 1844 – 2003

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper. The Globe was founded in 1844 by Scottish immigrant George Brown and in 1936 it merged with The Mail and Empire and became The Globe and Mail. While the paper was largely known as a general conservative voice of the business establishment, it did also have some liberal sway. 

Toronto Star*, coverage 1894 – 2015

The Toronto Star (originally known as Evening Star and then Toronto Daily Star) is Canada’s highest circulation newspaper on weekly circulation. It was unique among early North American newspapers in its consistent advocacy of ordinary people. It was an advocate of social causes such as the welfare state, old age pensions, unemployment insurance, and health care. It is generally considered to be the most leftwing of Canada’s major newspapers and a major influence on the development of Canadian social policy. 

San Francisco Chronicle, coverage 1865 – 1922

Founded by two teenage brothers in 1865 when the west was still wild, San Francisco Chronicle newspaper lets researchers travel back in time to experience the completion of the transcontinental railroad, the Klondike gold rush, the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906, America’s entry into World War I and immigration. Mark Twain, Bret Harte, Jack London, and Rex Beach are among the writers who contributed to the San Francisco Chronicle’s pages during the early years.

Minneapolis Star Tribune, coverage 1867-2001

Early issues of the Minneapolis Star Tribune document the rise of Minneapolis as a business hub, with coverage of growth in flour- and graining-milling industries. Related stories trace the railroad boom of the late 1800s, the debut of the first hydroelectric power plant in 1882, and the advent of worker protection laws resulting from the Teamsters strike of 1934. Other regional topics that reflect national and internationals trends of the times include news about gangsters and bootleggers during Prohibition in the 1920s, as well as civil rights activities in response to anti-Semitism, backlash against the first major party Black candidate for the city’s mayor, and the establishment of the American Indian Movement for the advancement of Native Americans.

Los Angeles Sentinel, coverage 1934 – 2005 

Los Angeles Sentinel was founded in 1933 for black readers. Since then it has exposed prejudice, promoted social change and empowered the black community. Today, the publication continues to cover community and world issues from the unique cultural perspective of the Los Angeles African-American community.

The Philadelphia Tribune, coverage 1912– 2001

The oldest continuously published daily black newspaper in the U.S., The Philadelphia Tribune was founded by Christopher James Perry. His paper conveyed ideas and opinions about local and national issues affecting blacks in the post-emancipation period. It actively supported the growth of the United Way fund and launched a “clean block” program, promoting the health, safety, and well-being of the city’s residents and fought against segregation. 

Communist Historical Newspaper Collection, coverage 1919 – 2013

Includes the titles (USA & GB) : The Daily Worker (1936 – 1958), The Ohio Socialist ( 1917-1919) , People’s Daily World (1986-1990), People’s Weekly World (1990-2013), Sunday Worker (1936-1958), The Toiler (1919 -1922), The Worker (1922-1924 New York), The Worker (1958-1968 London).

These newspapers provide a look at history, through the eyes of the Communist Party USA. The topics explored on the pages of these eight Communist Party newspapers include, for example, workers’ rights, social issues, national and international politics, culture and Party activity.  While much of the content in these newspapers focuses on workers’ rights and organized labor, other articles and ads as well as invitations to social events reveal a glimpse of the people who made up the Communist Party.  

Middle East

The Jerusalem Post, coverage 1932 - 2008

Founded in 1932 as The Palestine Post, this paper established itself as the top English-language paper
of the Middle East and Jewish world. The newspaper supported the struggle for a Jewish homeland and freely opposed British restrictions on Jewish immigration. In 1948, only months prior to the declaration of Israel as an independent state, terrorists parked a stolen vehicle loaded with explosives outside the newspaper office in the center of Jerusalem. The attack left three people dead, dozens injured, and the presses completely destroyed. Yet, by the next morning, the latest edition of The Palestine Post was out in print, albeit in a reduced format, run off at small local print shop. The publication came to be known as The Jerusalem Post in 1950. This collection of digitized pages from The Jerusalem Post archives (1932-2008) tells firsthand the history of the state of Israel.

All above mentiioned newspaper databases can be found via the library’s Volter database. Remember also other historical newspapers available via library such as The New York Times and Washington Post as well as Wall Street Journal. 

For further information and advice:

• please visit https://proquest.libguides.com/turku
• more information Katri Ojaniemi kojanie@utu.fi and Ann-Louise Paasio  ann-louise.paasio@utu.fi
• terms of use