Who founded The Washington Post and when was it established?
The Washington Post was founded in 1877 by Stilson Hutchins. The newspaper struggled financially and editorially in its early years before finding stability under Eugene Meyer.
Common questions about The Washington Post
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did Eugene Meyer purchase The Washington Post and for how much?
Eugene Meyer purchased the bankrupt paper at an auction on the 1st of June 1933 for $825,000. He had bid anonymously and was prepared to go up to $2 million, far higher than other bidders including William Randolph Hearst.
What role did The Washington Post play in the resignation of President Richard Nixon?
The Washington Post conducted a relentless investigation into the 1972 burglary of Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate complex that ultimately played a major role in the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein worked under editor Ben Bradlee to follow the trail of clues from the burglars to the White House.
When did Jeff Bezos purchase The Washington Post and what was the sale price?
Jeff Bezos purchased The Washington Post and other local publications in October 2013 for $250 million. The newspaper was transferred to Nash Holdings LLC, Bezos's private investment company, and the former parent company was renamed Graham Holdings.
How many Pulitzer Prizes has The Washington Post won and what is its ranking?
The Washington Post has won 76 Pulitzer Prizes, which is the second most of any publication after The New York Times. As of March 2023, the paper had an average printed weekday circulation of 139,232, making it the third largest newspaper in the country by circulation.
What happened to The Washington Post editorial board's presidential endorsement policy in 2024?
In 2024, The Washington Post announced it would no longer publish presidential endorsements, marking the first time since the 1988 presidential election that the paper did not endorse a Democratic candidate. CEO William Lewis stated the paper would not make endorsements in any future presidential election.