History and journalism are connected in many ways dating all the way back to the 1760’s during the American Revolution.

While looking at all the events that have occurred from the American Revolution to present day, Rodger Streitmatter came up with a list of 10 recurring traits that suggest some of the methods the news media have used while helping to shape this country.

Rodger Streitmatter’s trait number nine states, “Throughout its history, journalism has remained an endeavor in which a person-if endowed with talent, determination, and wherewithal-can make a difference, though not always a positive one.”

People such as Tomas Paine, Ida Tarbell and Margaret Bourke-White are only a few examples of people throughout history who have joined the Fourth Estate and have actively shaped society over the past two centuries.

The way of communicating through different mediums throughout history has provided the public with important information that changed the way events occurred. The power of the news not only shaped people’s views on issues but on how certain decisions were made by the government, organizations and individuals.

History and journalism are clearly connected and will more than likely continue to be connected as time continues to go by.