Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick

On September 25, 1690, a small four-page newspaper titled “Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick” appeared in Boston. Created by Benjamin Harris, an Englishman who had previously dabbled in printing in London, this paper became the first of its kind in colonial America. Though only one issue was published before authorities abruptly shut it down, *Publick Occurrences* marked the beginning of journalism in America. Its brief but significant existence opens a window into the culture of the time, the government’s control over information, and the roots of the fight for a free press that would eventually come to define the nation.

To fully appreciate the significance of Publick Occurrences, we first need to understand the world into which it emerged. Colonial America in the late 17th century was a place of rigid control, both socially and politically. Boston, with its strong Puritan influence, was governed by strict religious codes, where the church held enormous sway over daily life. Print media, as we know it today, did not yet exist. News traveled by word of mouth, through sermons, or via pamphlets printed sporadically to address specific issues. There was no structured way to disseminate news regularly to the public.

However, by the 1690s, people in the colonies were starting to crave a more consistent flow of information. The colonies were no longer just small, isolated outposts; they were becoming part of the larger transatlantic world, where European politics, wars, and trade affected daily life. Locally, there were ongoing conflicts with Native Americans, political tensions within the colonies, and concerns about public safety and governance. People wanted to be informed, not just about their immediate surroundings, but about the world beyond. Harris recognized this need and sought to fill the gap with a publication that could serve as a platform for both domestic and international news.

When Harris published the first and only issue of Publick Occurrences, he aimed to cover news that mattered to his audience both near and far. The paper was a modest four pages long, with the final page left blank, supposedly so readers could add their own news and pass it along. The content included reports on the ongoing conflicts between colonists and Native American tribes, alongside international news from Europe. Harris reported on the French king’s scandalous personal behavior, detailing supposed immorality at the French court. This wasn’t just gossip—it was news with political ramifications, as France was a major player in global affairs, especially as rivalries between European powers loomed large over colonial life.

Harris also made no secret of his disdain for corrupt leaders, seeking to expose wrongdoings and encourage an honest discussion among his readership. His paper was more than just a news bulletin; it was a call for accountability. It painted a vivid picture of colonial life, from the challenges faced on the frontier to the complexities of international diplomacy. Yet, it was precisely this kind of open and unlicensed critique that would lead to its quick demise.

Colonial governments were highly sensitive to public criticism, especially in the press. Under British rule, the colonial administration controlled information tightly. Anyone who wanted to publish had to first obtain a license, and Harris had not. Worse, Publick Occurrences contained material that the authorities found deeply troubling. His reporting on King Louis XIV of France was considered inflammatory, as relations between France and England were delicate at best. Criticism of local officials, particularly during a time of war with Native Americans, was seen as a threat to public order.

Just days after the paper’s release, the colonial government issued a proclamation stating that the publication contained “reflections of a very high nature” and shut it down. Harris, who had previously faced trouble with the authorities in England for similar reasons, was not given a chance to continue. In just one issue, Publick Occurrences had both sparked interest and run afoul of colonial rulers.

Though the newspaper was quickly suppressed, its initial reception hinted at the growing appetite for regular news coverage. Colonists, increasingly involved in local governance and international trade, were eager for updates about both domestic issues and foreign affairs. The appearance of Publick Occurrences demonstrated a shift in colonial culture—a shift towards wanting access to information, a voice in public discourse, and a better understanding of the broader world.

Harris’s bold attempt to produce a regular newspaper reflected the changing mindset of the time. People were moving away from relying solely on government-sanctioned information or oral communication. Instead, they were becoming more participatory, with a desire for transparency in how they were governed. Even though the publication was short-lived, it laid the groundwork for future colonial publications by showing that there was, indeed, an audience for regular, written news.

The legacy of Publick Occurrences extends far beyond its brief life. Although Harris’s venture was quickly quashed, his pioneering spirit opened the door for future newspapers in the colonies. Over the next few decades, other printers would pick up where he left off, slowly pushing the boundaries of press freedom in the New World. By the early 18th century, Boston and other major cities in the colonies had a number of newspapers, some of which would play a pivotal role in the American Revolution.

More than anything, Publick Occurrences is remembered as the first step in the long journey toward a free press in America. Its shutdown was an early example of the tensions that would persist between governments and the media, especially regarding the dissemination of information critical of those in power. This tension eventually gave rise to a fundamental American belief in the necessity of a free press—one protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

Today, Publick Occurrences stands as a symbol of journalistic independence and the enduring fight for the right to inform the public. While Harris himself faded into obscurity, his attempt to launch the first newspaper in America planted the seed of press freedom that continues to define American democracy.

Though it lasted for just one issue, Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick was a pivotal moment in the history of American journalism. It emerged during a time of change, when colonists were beginning to seek more information about their world and their leaders. While colonial authorities quickly shut it down, the paper set a precedent for future newspapers and helped spark the ongoing fight for press freedom in America. Today, the legacy of Publick Occurrences  lives on in the robust, independent press that has become a cornerstone of American society, continually holding power to account just as Harris envisioned over 300 years ago.