History of The Washington Post in Timeline
The Washington Post is a prominent American daily newspaper based in Washington, D.C., recognized as a newspaper of record in the United States. It holds the largest circulation in the Washington metropolitan area. By 2023, the Post reported 130,000 print subscribers and 2.5 million digital subscribers, placing it third among American newspapers in both categories, trailing The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. However, in 2025, the newspaper saw its print subscriptions dip below 100,000 for the first time in 55 years.
1 day ago : Washington Post Faces $100 Million Losses, 'Death Spiral' Concerns After Layoffs
The Washington Post experienced losses exceeding $100 million in 2025, prompting concerns from its editor about a potential 'death spiral' following major layoffs. The future of major newspapers is being questioned.
1902: Berryman published Drawing the Line in Mississippi
In 1902, Clifford K. Berryman published another famous cartoon in The Washington Post – Drawing the Line in Mississippi. This cartoon depicts President Theodore Roosevelt showing compassion for a small bear cub and inspired New York store owner Morris Michtom to create the teddy bear.
1903: Wilkins died
In 1903, after Beriah Wilkins died, his sons John and Robert ran The Washington Post for two years.
1905: The Post sold to John Roll McLean
In 1905, Wilkins' sons sold The Washington Post to John Roll McLean, owner of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
1912: Stilson Hutchins death
Stilson Hutchins who founded the Washington post in 1877, died in 1912.
1916: McLean died
When John Roll McLean died in 1916, he put The Washington Post newspaper in a trust.
1917: Katharine Graham born
Katharine Graham, who would later lead The Washington Post Company, was born in 1917.
1919: The Post supported white mobs during the Red Summer
During the Red Summer of 1919, The Washington Post newspaper supported the white mobs and even ran a front-page story which advertised the location at which white servicemen were planning to meet to carry out attacks on black Washingtonians.
1929: Eugene Meyer offered to buy the Post
In 1929, financier Eugene Meyer secretly made an offer of $5 million for The Washington Post, but he was rebuffed by Ned McLean.
1930: Eugene Meyer Appointed Chairman of the Federal Reserve
In 1930, Eugene Meyer was appointed Chairman of the Federal Reserve by Herbert Hoover.
June 1, 1933: Meyer bought the paper at a bankruptcy auction
On June 1, 1933, Eugene Meyer bought The Washington Post at a bankruptcy auction for $825,000.
1933: Eugene Meyer Buys the Bankrupt Post
In 1933, financier Eugene Meyer bought the bankrupt Washington Post. He assured the public that neither he nor the newspaper would be beholden to any political party, though his political leanings influenced the paper's editorials and news coverage.
1933: Eugene Meyer purchased The Post
In 1933, financier Eugene Meyer purchased The Washington Post out of bankruptcy and revived its health and reputation.
1939: Washington Times and the Herald merger
In 1939, the Washington Times and the Herald merged forming the Times-Herald.
1946: Meyer Appointed Head of World Bank, Phil Graham Succeeds Him
In 1946, Eugene Meyer was appointed head of the World Bank. He named his son-in-law, Phil Graham, to succeed him as publisher of The Washington Post.
1946: Philip Graham succeeded Meyer as publisher
In 1946, Philip Graham, Eugene Meyer's son-in-law, succeeded him as publisher of The Washington Post.
1947: "John Kelly's Washington" column running since 1947
The "John Kelly's Washington" column was running since 1947 and was closed as part of the shift in tone of the paper.
1950: The Post Coins "McCarthyism"
In 1950, The Washington Post is credited with coining the term "McCarthyism" in an editorial cartoon by Herbert Block, which depicted buckets of tar. It made fun of Sen. Joseph McCarthy's "tarring" tactics.
1950: The newspaper moved to a building at 14th and E streets NW
In 1950, The Washington Post newspaper moved to a building at 14th and E streets NW. This building combined all functions of the newspaper into one headquarters – newsroom, advertising, typesetting, and printing.
1954: Washington Post bought and merged Times-Herald
In 1954, The Washington Post bought and merged with the Times-Herald. The combined paper was officially named The Washington Post and Times-Herald.
1963: Phil Graham's friendship with John F. Kennedy remained strong
In 1963, Phil Graham's friendship with John F. Kennedy remained strong until they died.
1963: Control of The Washington Post Company passed to Katharine Graham
In 1963, after Philip Graham died, control of The Washington Post Company passed to his wife, Katharine Graham.
1968: Ben Bradlee became the editor-in-chief
In 1968, Ben Bradlee became the editor-in-chief of The Washington Post.
1969: Kay Graham became the publisher
In 1969, Kay Graham officially became the publisher of The Washington Post.
1969: Katharine Graham served as publisher
Katharine Graham served as publisher from 1969.
June 15, 1971: The Washington Post Company public
On June 15, 1971, Graham took The Washington Post Company public in the midst of the Pentagon Papers controversy. A total of 1,294,000 shares were offered to the public at $26 per share.
1971: The Post published the Pentagon Papers
In 1971, The Washington Post strengthened public opposition to the Vietnam War when it published the Pentagon Papers.
1972: Coverage of the Watergate complex burglary
In 1972, executive editor Ben Bradlee put the newspaper's reputation and resources behind reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who, in a long series of articles, chipped away at the story behind the burglary of Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate complex in Washington.
1972: The "Book World" section was introduced
In 1972, the "Book World" section was introduced with Pulitzer Prize-winning critic William McPherson as its first editor at The Washington Post.
1973: The Washington Post and Times-Herald
In 1973, The Washington Post was officially named The Washington Post and Times-Herald.
1973: The Post won a Pulitzer Prize
In 1973, The Washington Post's coverage of the Watergate story won the newspaper a Pulitzer Prize.
1974: Watergate scandal and Nixon's resignation
In 1974, reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein led The Washington Post's investigation into the break-in at the Democratic National Committee, which developed into the Watergate scandal and the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
1975: Washington Post Pressmen's Union Strike
In 1975, the Washington Post pressmen's union went on strike.
February 1976: Other Unions Return to Work
In February 1976, after the Washington Post hired replacement workers to replace the pressmen's union, other unions returned to work.
1976: The Post endorsed Jimmy Carter
In 1976, The Washington Post endorsed Jimmy Carter in the presidential election. Since this year, The Post has consistently endorsed Democrats in presidential elections.
1979: Donald E. Graham succeeded her as a publisher
Donald E. Graham succeeded Katharine as a publisher in 1979.
1979: Katharine Graham served as publisher
Katharine Graham served as publisher till 1979.
September 1980: "Jimmy's World" Feature Story Appears
In September 1980, The Washington Post published a front-page feature story titled "Jimmy's World" by Janet Cooke, profiling an eight-year-old heroin addict, which later faced doubts about its veracity.
April 13, 1981: Janet Cooke Awarded Pulitzer Prize
On April 13, 1981, Janet Cooke was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing for her story "Jimmy's World" which was later found to be a complete fabrication.
1984: The Post company's purchase of Kaplan, Inc.
In 1984, Graham oversaw The Washington Post company's diversification purchase of the for-profit education and training company Kaplan, Inc. for $40 million.
1986: Employees Sue The Washington Post for Overtime Pay
In 1986, five employees of The Washington Post sued the newspaper for overtime pay, claiming that the newspaper had stated that budgets did not allow for overtime wages.
1988: Last Presidential Endorsement
In 1988, the Washington Post endorsed a candidate for president, before the 2024 announcement that they would no longer be making endorsements.
1988: The Post Declined to Endorse Either Candidate
In the 1988 presidential election, The Washington Post declined to endorse either Governor Michael Dukakis or Vice President George H. W. Bush.
1990: Endorsement of John Warner
In 1990, The Washington Post editorial board endorsed Virginia's Republican U.S. Senator John Warner in his Senate reelection campaign.
1991: The stock was worth $888 per share
By the end of Graham's tenure as CEO in 1991, the stock was worth $888 per share.
1995: The domain name washingtonpost.com was purchased
In 1995, the domain name washingtonpost.com was purchased. That same year, a failed effort to create an online news repository called Digital Ink launched.
June 1996: The first website was launched
In June 1996, The Washington Post first website was launched.
1996: Endorsement of John Warner
In 1996, The Washington Post editorial board endorsed Virginia's Republican U.S. Senator John Warner in his Senate reelection campaign.
2001: Katharine Graham death
Katharine Graham who led The Washington Post Company passed away in 2001.
2002: Endorsement of John Warner
In 2002, The Washington Post editorial board endorsed Virginia's Republican U.S. Senator John Warner in his Senate reelection campaign.
2003: Kobe Bryant rape allegation
In 2003, the rape allegation against basketball star Kobe Bryant took place, which Felicia Sonmez tweeted about after Bryant's death in 2020, leading to her suspension from The Washington Post.
March 23, 2007: Chris Matthews discusses The Washington Post's political stance
On March 23, 2007, Chris Matthews stated on his television program that The Washington Post was no longer a liberal newspaper and had become a "neocon newspaper".
2008: The Post Endorsed Barack Obama
In 2008, The Washington Post endorsed Barack Obama for president.
2008: Criticism of the newspaper's coverage
In 2008, The Washington Post faced criticism of its coverage during the run-up to the 2008 presidential election. Former Post ombudsman Deborah Howell acknowledged that opinion was still weighted toward Obama.
February 15, 2009: The Washington Post Book World was discontinued
On Sunday, February 15, 2009, after 37 years, The Washington Post Book World as a standalone insert was discontinued, along with a general reorganization of the paper.
July 2009: Controversy over Health-Care Lobbyist Access
In July 2009, Politico reported that a health-care lobbyist was offered access to the Post's health-care reporting and editorial staff through exclusive dinner parties hosted by publisher Katharine Weymouth, sparking controversy.
2009: Oxford University Press book on the impact of blogs
According to a 2009 Oxford University Press book, liberal bloggers link to The Washington Post and The New York Times more often than other major newspapers. However, conservative bloggers also link predominantly to liberal newspapers.
2009: Newspaper ceased publication of its National Weekly Edition
In 2009, The Washington Post newspaper ceased publication of its National Weekly Edition due to shrinking circulation.
2009: Newspaper closed three U.S. regional bureaus
In 2009, The Washington Post newspaper closed three U.S. regional bureaus—in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City—as part of an increased focus on Washington, D.C.–based political stories and local news.
2010: Kaplan accounted for more than 60% of the entire company revenue stream
By 2010, Kaplan had surpassed The Washington Post newspaper as the company's leading contributor to income, and Kaplan accounted for more than 60% of the entire company revenue stream.
2011: The Fact Checker Column
Since 2011, The Washington Post has been running a column called "The Fact Checker" that the Post describes as a "truth squad".
June 2012: "The 40th Anniversary of Watergate"
In June 2012, Washington Post Live organized "The 40th Anniversary of Watergate" event, featuring key Watergate figures at the Watergate hotel.
2012: The Post Endorsed Barack Obama
In 2012, The Washington Post endorsed Barack Obama for president.
August 2013: Jeff Bezos purchased The Washington Post
In August 2013, Jeff Bezos purchased The Washington Post and other local publications, websites, and real estate for US$250 million, transferring ownership to Nash Holdings LLC.
October 2013: The Graham family sold the newspaper to Nash Holdings
In October 2013, the Graham family sold The Washington Post to Nash Holdings, a holding company owned by Jeff Bezos, for US$250 million.
November 2013: Graham Holdings sold 1150 15th Street
In November 2013, Graham Holdings sold the real estate at 1150 15th Street, along with other properties, for $159 million, after The Washington Post was sold to Jeff Bezos' Nash Holdings.
May 2014: The Post leased the west tower of One Franklin Square
In May 2014, The Washington Post leased the west tower of One Franklin Square, a high-rise building at 1301 K Street NW in Washington, D.C.
2014: Controversy over George Will Column
In 2014, The Washington Post faced criticism for a controversial column on campus sexual assault by George Will.
2014: The Post launched an online personal finance section, a blog, and a podcast
Since 2014, The Washington Post has launched an online personal finance section, a blog, and a podcast with a retro theme.
2015: The Post moved to One Franklin Square
In 2015, The Washington Post moved from the building it owned at 1150 15th Street to a leased space three blocks away at One Franklin Square on K Street.
September 2016: Criticism for demanding Snowden stand trial
In mid-September 2016, Matthew Ingram of Forbes, Glenn Greenwald of The Intercept, and Trevor Timm of The Guardian criticized The Washington Post for "demanding that [former National Security Agency contractor Edward] Snowden ... stand trial on espionage charges".
2016: The Post Endorsed Hillary Clinton
In 2016, The Washington Post endorsed Hillary Clinton for president.
February 2017: The Post adopts slogan
In February 2017, The Washington Post adopted the slogan "Democracy Dies in Darkness" for its masthead.
2017: Jamal Khashoggi hired as a columnist
In 2017, The Washington Post newspaper hired Jamal Khashoggi as a columnist.
June 2018: Employees Demand Fair Wages
In June 2018, over 400 employees of The Washington Post signed an open letter to owner Jeff Bezos demanding fair wages, benefits, and job security.
August 2018: Trump's Criticism of The Washington Post
By August 2018, President Donald Trump had repeatedly criticized The Washington Post on his Twitter account, linking it to Amazon more than 20 times since his campaign for president.
2018: Jamal Khashoggi was murdered
In 2018, Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, was murdered by Saudi agents in Istanbul.
2018: "China Watch" Advertising Supplements Criticized
In 2018, The Guardian reported that the "China Watch" advertising supplements in The Washington Post used "a didactic, old-school approach to propaganda."
January 2019: Lincoln Memorial Confrontation
In January 2019, the Lincoln Memorial confrontation occurred between Covington students and the Indigenous Peoples March, leading to a defamation lawsuit against The Washington Post.
October 28, 2019: Sandmann Lawsuit Reopened
On October 28, 2019, the lawsuit filed by Nick Sandmann against The Washington Post was reopened after Sandmann's lawyers amended the complaint.
2020: Sanders Criticizes The Washington Post
In 2020, Senator Bernie Sanders criticized The Washington Post's coverage of his campaign, attributing it to Jeff Bezos' purchase of the newspaper.
2020: The Post Endorsed Joe Biden
In 2020, The Washington Post endorsed Joe Biden for president.
2020: Settlement in Sandmann Lawsuit
In 2020, The Washington Post settled the defamation lawsuit brought by Nick Sandmann for an undisclosed amount.
2020: Felicia Sonmez Suspended and Reinstated
In 2020, The Washington Post suspended reporter Felicia Sonmez for tweets about the Kobe Bryant rape allegation but reinstated her after journalist backlash.
2020: The Post has lost around 500,000 subscribers since the end of 2020
Since the end of 2020, The Washington Post has lost around 500,000 subscribers.
July 2021: Sonmez Sues The Washington Post
In July 2021, Felicia Sonmez sued The Washington Post and several of its top editors, alleging workplace discrimination.
2021: The newspaper had 21 foreign bureaus
As of 2021, The Washington Post newspaper had 21 foreign bureaus in different cities around the world, including Baghdad, Beijing, and London.
March 2022: Sonmez's Lawsuit Dismissed
In March 2022, Felicia Sonmez's lawsuit against The Washington Post was dismissed by the court, determining that Sonmez had failed to make plausible claims.
June 2022: Sonmez Fired After Twitter Feud
In June 2022, Felicia Sonmez was fired by The Washington Post following a Twitter feud with fellow staffers, leading to criticism from the Post Guild.
2022: Bezos executive chairman and the largest single shareholder
As of 2022, Jeff Bezos is executive chairman and the largest single shareholder, with 12.7% of voting rights.
2022: Johnny Depp Sues Amber Heard
In 2022, actor Johnny Depp successfully sued ex-wife Amber Heard for an op-ed she wrote in The Washington Post where she described herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse.
March 2023: The Post's average printed weekday circulation was 139,232
As of March 2023, The Washington Post's average printed weekday circulation was 139,232, making it the third-largest newspaper in the country by circulation.
October 2023: The Post announced it would cut 240 jobs
In October 2023, The Washington Post announced it would cut 240 jobs across the organization by offering voluntary separation packages to employees due to over optimistic traffic, subscriptions and advertising growth projections.
December 2023: Washington Post Staffers Strike
In December 2023, over 750 journalist and staffers at the Washington Post went on strike, accusing the company of refusing to "bargain in good faith" on issues including issues including pay increases, pay equity, remote work policies, and mental health resources.
2023: Ranked third among American newspapers
In 2023, The Washington Post had 130,000 print subscribers and 2.5 million digital subscribers, both ranking third among American newspapers after The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
March 2024: Allegations of Lewis pressuring Buzbee to bury a story
In March 2024, it was alleged that CEO Lewis pressured Buzbee to bury a story about his involvement in a British phone-hacking scandal, adding to the internal turmoil at The Washington Post.
May 2024: Embrace artificial intelligence to improve the paper's financial situation
In May 2024, CEO and publisher William Lewis announced that The Washington Post organization would embrace artificial intelligence to improve the paper's financial situation, telling staff it would seek "AI everywhere in our newsroom."
June 2024: Internal turmoil and financial challenges at the Post
In June 2024, Axios reported that The Washington Post was facing significant internal turmoil and financial challenges. CEO Lewis' leadership style and proposed restructuring plans led to controversy. The departure of executive editor Buzbee and the appointment of two white men to top editorial positions sparked internal discontent. There were also reports alleging Lewis' attempts to influence editorial decisions and pressure on Buzbee to drop a story about his past ties to a phone hacking scandal. Additionally, staff became worried about Lewis' drinking and his uninvolved role in the newsroom.
2024: The Post Will Not Endorse a Candidate for President
In 2024, CEO and publisher William Lewis announced that The Washington Post would not endorse a candidate for president, marking the first time since 1988 that the paper did not endorse the Democratic candidate and stated the paper would not endorse in future presidential elections.
2024: The Post no longer publish presidential endorsements
In 2024, The Washington Post controversially announced that it would no longer publish presidential endorsements.
2024: Losses and Subscriber Drops
In 2024, The Washington Post reported a $100 million loss and subscriber drops following the paper's refusal to endorse a presidential candidate in the 2024 US election, which contributed to layoffs announced in February 2026.
2024: Controversy over Decision Not to Endorse
In 2024, The Washington Post's decision not to endorse a presidential candidate led to criticism, resignations, and subscription cancellations, with some attributing the decision to owner Jeff Bezos's fear of retaliation from Donald Trump.
2024: Over optimistic projections for traffic, subscriptions and advertising growth
In 2024, over optimistic projections for traffic, subscriptions and advertising growth for the past two years.
January 2025: The Post announces layoffs
In January 2025, The Washington Post announced it would lay off 4% of its staff, which is less than 100 people. Newsroom employees will not be affected by these layoffs.
January 2025: Ann Telnaes resigns from The Washington Post
In January 2025, editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigned from The Washington Post. She stated in her blog post, "Why I'm quitting the Washington Post" that the paper refused to run a cartoon that criticized the relationship between American billionaires and President Donald Trump, a decision she called "dangerous for a free press".
February 2025: Bezos announces opinion section changes, Shipley resigns
In February 2025, Jeff Bezos announced that the opinion section of The Washington Post would publish only pieces that support "personal liberties and free markets". David Shipley, The Post's opinion editor, resigned after trying to persuade Bezos to reconsider the new direction.
February 2025: Bezos announces opinion page changes
In February 2025, Jeff Bezos announced that the paper's opinion pages would endorse "personal liberties and free markets" to the exclusion of other views. NPR suggested the Post was adopting a libertarian line.
May 2025: Tech Workers Unionize
In May 2025, a majority of technology workers at the Post voted to unionize as the Washington Post Tech Guild.
September 2025: Karen Attiah fired from The Washington Post
In September 2025, The Washington Post fired columnist and founding global opinion editor Karen Attiah, citing violations of its social media policy. Attiah stated she was punished for "speaking out against political violence, racial double standards, and America's apathy toward guns".
October 2025: Columnist states opinion section is conservative
In October 2025, Washington Post columnist Marc Thiessen stated that the paper's opinion section was now conservative.
2025: Print subscribers sink below 100,000
In 2025, the number of The Washington Post's print subscribers sank below 100,000 for the first time in 55 years.
January 14, 2026: FBI raids apartment of Post journalist
On January 14, 2026, the FBI raided the apartment of Hannah Natanson, a journalist for The Washington Post, and seized her phone, two laptops, and a smartwatch, as part of the court case United States v. Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones. The investigation focused on Aurelio Perez-Lugones, a system administrator with top-secret security clearance, who was under investigation for taking home classified intelligence reports.
February 4, 2026: The Post announces layoffs and coverage cuts
On February 4, 2026, it was announced that around 300 The Washington Post employees would be laid off. The paper's sports and books coverage are expected to be closed entirely, and its local news coverage will be substantially cut. Additionally, their daily news "Post Reports" podcast, which ran for seven years, has been suspended, and several foreign bureaus were closed. These layoffs were driven by losses in 2024 and subscriber drops.
February 7, 2026: Will Lewis steps down as publisher
On February 7, 2026, it was announced that Will Lewis, the paper's publisher, would step down and be replaced in the interim by Jeff D'Onofrio, who served as the company's chief financial officer. The Washington Post Guild employees union welcomed the change in leadership.
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