Business News in 1889
On July 8, 1889, the first issue of The Wall Street Journal appeared in New York City. Its readers wanted to know what was happening in the world of trade and finance. But how could a newspaper turn a busy day’s events into useful information?
Reporters gathered details about companies, markets, and prices. A market is a place or system where people buy and sell things. Some prices appeared as numbers in tables, while articles explained events that might matter to businesses. Together, the numbers and reports gave readers a picture of economic activity.
Good reporting depends on evidence. A reporter might check a company announcement, examine a public record, or compare information from more than one source. A price recorded at one moment can be a useful fact, but it does not explain every reason that price changed. Readers need to know where information came from and what it can—and cannot—show.
Producing the paper also took physical work. Workers prepared pages for printing, and a press put ink onto sheets of paper. Once printed, the papers could be delivered to readers. Unlike a digital update, a printed page could not be changed after it left the press. New developments had to wait for another report.
- finance:
- The management of money.
- evidence:
- Information used to check or support an idea.
- source:
- A place, person, or record from which information comes.
- announcement:
- A public statement that shares news or information.
- developments:
- New events or changes in a situation.
- historical:
- Related to the past.
- editors:
- People who choose and prepare material for publication.
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Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How did tables and articles work together to inform readers?
- 2Why might a reporter compare information from more than one source?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“Business News in 1889” is a explanatory article reading passage about Business journalism, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (260 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.