Today In History: Life Magazine Is Published

How does a picture speak 1,000 words? What is the impact of photojournalism on our understanding of current affairs or media literacy? And why is it such an essential, ongoing part of the media?

With its stunning front cover photo of the Fort Peck Dam taken by Margaret Bourke-White, the first illustrated issue of Life Magazine debuted on November 23, 1936 -- for just 10 cents an issue. Then journalist and Time publisher Henry Luce sought to see and show life, rather than just tell about it. Life Magazine became a very successful and popular publication -- a treasure of photographic images -- circulating in its heyday to more than eight million people.

Life Magazine was a weekly publication until 1978 when it turned monthly. From 2000 it moved to special and commemorative issues within such newspapers as The Washington Post, New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune. In 2008 Life Magazine entered a partnership with Google, offering an archive of more than six million photographs from 1936-1972.

Our news display will uncover stories about Henry Luce, creator of Life, Time, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated; the influence of Life Magazine on the American public; and the growth of photojournalism over the decades. Also see more recent issues of Life - Your World in Pictures, now issued online.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Henry Luce, 68, Dies In Phoenix: Started a Publishing Empire With Time Began Life, Fortune, Sports Illustrated. (1967, Mar 01). New York Times (1923-)

• Time Plans Rebirth Of Life Magazine As Of Next October: Periodical To Appear Monthly and Be Aimed At Smaller, More Affluent Audience. (1978, Apr 25). Wall Street Journal (1923-)

• Collins, T. 1978, Sep 25). In the Picture Once More: Life Magazine, Which Folded As a Weekly IN 1972, Is Back Today As a Monthly. Newsday (1940-)

• Thornton, G. (1979, Jul 15). Photography View: Life Magazine's First Decade. New York Times (1923-)

• Yardley, J. (1986, Nov 23). The Best Years Of Life: The Great American Magazine. The Washington Post (1974-)

• Life Magazine Will Turn Logo Green To Mark Earth Day. (1990, Apr 16). Los Angeles Times (1923-1995)

• Freudenheim, S. (1991, Feb 02). Taking a Lifeless Look at Eisenstaedt, One Of Life Magazine's Famous Image-Makers. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995)

• Kuczynski, A. (2000, Mar 18). Life Magazine To End Monthly Publication After May Issue. New York Times (1923-)

• Time Revives Life Magazine. (2003, May 19). New York Times (1923-)

• Seelye, K. (2007, Mar 27). Life Magazine, Its Pages Dwindling, Will Cease Publication. New York Times (1923-)

Tips:

• Vanderlan, Robert. Intellectuals Incorporated Politics, Art, and Ideas Inside Henry Luce’s Media Empire. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2010. e-book

• Vials, Chris. Realism for the Masses: Aesthetics, Popular Front Pluralism, and U.S. Culture, 1935-1947. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2009. e-book

• Life Magazine, via Google Books. Users can browse, search and view photos of people and events daring back to 1936. They have free access to share, print and post images for personal use.

Images:

• First Life Magazine Cover from 1936, Photo of Fort Peck Dam's Spillway, Flickr, Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)

• Special News Slide, Courtesy of the Gottesman Libraries

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