250 to 250: 95. Joseph Pulitzer, Narrated by Connie Schultz

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Joseph Pulitzer, Narrated by Connie Schultz

Connie Schultz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, journalism professor, and author of the New York Times bestselling novel, The Daughters of Erietown who writes a weekly Substack newsletter, Hopefully Yours. Schultz profiles Joseph Pulitzer, the immigrant publisher who shaped the modern American newspaper and lent his name to journalism's most prestigious prize.

Joseph Pulitzer was an important American newspaper publisher.

• He was born into a Jewish family in Hungary.
• He came to the United States in 1864.
• He first worked as a newspaper reporter in St. Louis.
• In 1883, Pulitzer became the publisher of the New York World.
• He believed newspapers should support democracy and serve the public.
• His newspaper investigated powerful people and organizations.
• Pulitzer used large headlines, pictures, and stories about everyday people to attract readers.
• He also supported investigative reporting to find and report problems.
• Some of his newspaper stories were criticized for being too dramatic or sensational.
• However, Pulitzer also helped improve American journalism.
• He died in 1911.
• After his death, the Pulitzer Prizes were created in his name.
• Today, Pulitzer Prizes honor excellent work in journalism, literature, music, and drama.

POP Interview and Quiz: 

• N-400 Part 9:7.g. Have you ever caused harm or suffering to any person because of their race, religion, national origin, membership in a particular group, or political opinion?
• USCIS 100:06. One is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
• USCIS 100:51 / 128:65. What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?

Family Fun:

• American History & Culture Simplified: The Statue of Liberty: The Gift Nobody Wanted
• Columbia University: Joseph Pulitzer and the World
• Historic Missourians: Joseph Pulitzer
• NEH: The Pulitzer Prize Turns 100
• NPS Statue of Liberty Historic Monument: Joseph Pulitzer
• PBS American Masters: Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People
• PBS Learning Media: Joseph Pulitzer | Funding the Statue of Liberty
• Postal Museum: Joseph Pulitzer Issue
• Pulitzer Center: Journalism Lesson Plans
• Share America: How do journalists win Pulitzers?
• uscitizenpod: Joseph Pulitzer coloring page