Betty Houchin Winfield

History as the Metaphor through Which the Current World Is Viewed: British and American newspapers' uses of history following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks

Journalists have long been expected to provide information on important events as they occur: the who, what, where and when of breaking news. Yet, they also give the why and how of an event. Historical context can help interpret as well as augment the narrative, by tapping a collective memory, adding new evidence, revising a once agreed-upon past or imparting lessons and values. Although trained to examine the present, journalists in London, New York and Washington drew upon the past to try and explain the horrific events of 11 September 2001. This article examines the coverage of that astounding event with its global consequences and considers the uses of history by the New York Times , Washington Post and London-based newspapers, The Times and The Independent , in their coverage of the 11 September attacks. Historical references considered include context, nostalgia, analogies, values and past assumptions: categories defined earlier in the work of Richard Neustadt and Ernest May. London and American newspapers showed similar historical references, but also differences, which this article explains.

The Continuous Past: Historical Referents in Nineteenth-Century American Journalism

This study examines how nineteenth-century American journalism used history. Based primarily on almost 2,000 magazine article titles, the authors found a marked increase in historical referents by 1900. Primarily used for context and placement, historical references often noted the countrys origins, leaders and wars, particularly the Civil War. By connecting the present to the past, journalists highlighted an American story worth remembering during a time of nation-building, increased magazine circulation, and rise of feature stories. References to past people, events and institutions reiterated a particular national history, not only to those long settled, but also to new immigrants. Journalistic textual silences were the histories of most women, African Americans, Native Americans and immigrants. This study found historical continuity in contrast to Lipsitz and a repeated national institutional core as opposed to Wiebe. It reinforced other memory studies about contemporary usefulness of the past, and agrees with Highams contention that the centurys journalistic reports created the initial awareness of the nations history.

The Press Response to the Corps of Discovery: The Making of Heroes in an Egalitarian Age

This study examines how the nations print media played a role in the making of heroes out of early American explorers. The method includes examining the magazine and newspaper text for hero labels and those important hero referents that scholars have long described: distinctive physical skills, an exemplary response to a challenge, and admirable moral characteristics, as well as a reputation that transcends a lifetime.