First American Magazine
First American Magazine refers to the groundbreaking publication, Andrew Bradford's "American Magazine, or A Monthly View of the Political State of the British Colonies," which debuted on February 13, 1741, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This magazine is recognized as the first in America, marking a significant moment in the history of print media in the colonies. Shortly after, Benjamin Franklin launched his own magazine, "General Magazine, and Historical Chronicle, for All the British Plantations in America," just three days later, both magazines sharing the same publication date of January 1741. Despite their historical importance, both publications had brief lifespans, with Bradford's magazine lasting only three months and Franklin's slightly longer at six months. These early magazines paved the way for the proliferation of periodicals in America, with around 100 subsequent magazines emerging in the colonies, establishing a foundation for the diverse array of publications that would follow. This period marked the beginning of an evolving dialogue through print, influencing the cultural and political landscape of the time.
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First American Magazine
First American Magazine
February 13, 1741, marked the appearance of America's first magazine, Andrew Bradford's American Magazine, or A Monthly View of the Political State of the British Colonies, published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Like its closest successor, Benjamin Franklin's General Magazine, and Historical Chronicle, for All the British Plantations in America, which appeared in print in the same city three days later, it bore the date of January 1741.
Both magazines were short-lived. Bradford's publication met its demise in three months. Franklin's survived it by only three more. Both were forerunners, however, of the approximately 100 magazines that were eventually founded in the American colonies and of the numberless periodical publications that have succeeded them since.