Ebony magazine published its first issue on Nov. 1, 1945
AI-assisted briefing. Drafted by The Lounge Desk (AI) from the sources listed below, checked claim by claim against them, and reviewed and approved by the editor. How this works
John H. Johnson and Eunice Walker Johnson launched Ebony, a magazine about Black American life that ran in print until May 2019.
The first issue of Ebony magazine was published on this day in 1945, according to HISTORY, Britannica and BlackFacts.
Britannica says John H. Johnson and his wife, Eunice Walker Johnson, launched Ebony on this date. It describes the magazine as a Life- or Look-style publication focused on the lives of Black Americans. HISTORY reports that the first issue included profiles of Richard Wright and Hazel Scott.
The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) says the first issue totaled 25,000 copies. BlackFacts says the first issue sold 25,000 copies. The NMAAHC also cites Johnson's 1975 publisher's statement, in which he said Ebony was founded to provide positive images for Black people.
The NMAAHC says Ebony was Johnson Publishing's leading publication from 1945 until its final print edition in May 2019. HISTORY says Johnson also launched the weekly news magazine Jet in 1951, and that in 1982 he became the first Black man on the Forbes 400 list.
What we don't know yet
- The exact day. HISTORY, Britannica and BlackFacts give Nov. 1, 1945, while the NMAAHC gives only November 1945.
- What the 25,000 figure measures. The NMAAHC says the first issue "totaled" 25,000 copies, and BlackFacts says it "sold" 25,000. We have attributed each wording to its source and have not reconciled them.
From the Floor
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