The Daily News, also known as the New York Daily News or the New York Daily Newspaper, is a newspaper of record in New York City. Founded in 1919 by Joseph Medill Patterson, it was the first successful tabloid newspaper in the United States and at its peak had the highest circulation of any newspaper in the country. The Daily News aimed to attract readers with sensational coverage of crime and scandal, lurid photographs, cartoons and other entertainment features. It was a major player in the tumultuous decade of the 1920s, which saw political corruption like the Teapot Dome Scandal and social intrigue such as Wallis Simpson’s romance with King Edward VIII that led to the latter’s abdication.

The paper’s editorial writers and columnists remained committed to a bold, independent agenda and its journalists were among the most respected in the world. In addition to national and local news, Daily News writers covered New York exclusives and politics as well as the latest in sports (the Yankees and Mets were a mainstay).

By the end of the 1930s, the Daily News had established itself as the largest newspaper in America, with circulation approaching 1.5 million copies a day. In 1937, the newspaper moved from its cramped Park Place offices to a 36-story, freestanding Art Deco building at 220 East 42nd Street, designed by John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood. The building is now an official city and national landmark and served as the model for the Daily Planet building in the Superman movies. The newspaper relocated to 450 West 33rd Street (also known as 5 Manhattan West) in 1995, though the historic News Building continues to house its newsroom and contains a large globe in its lobby.

In the late 1970s, the Daily News continued to struggle with declining circulation and financial difficulties. In 1985, it began to cut staff and hire non-union employees as part of a plan to reduce labor costs. However, this policy was criticized by many in the industry for its union-busting tactics and ultimately contributed to the newspaper’s declining fortunes.

Today, the Daily News is a digital-first publication that delivers a full spectrum of news and information to its audience. The website provides live coverage of national and international events, New York-specific articles, politics, celebrity gossip, sports and more. All of our stories feature comprehension and critical thinking questions at the top of the page, as well as “Background” and “Resources” (including video clips and maps) to help students understand the news they read. The Daily News also publishes daily news briefs via its e-mail newsletter. Each of these pieces is also available for download to read offline.