Journalism and history are intuitively connected as journalism has evolved to keep up with changes in society and technology over the years. However, as highlighted by Rodger Streitmatter throughout his book, Mightier than the Sword, journalism is not only connected to history but has also helped to shape it and make it what we know today.

While Streitmatter mentions many ways that journalism has influenced history, I found the most powerful to be the book’s namesake, the pen is “mightier than the sword.” From quill pens in the 18th century to online blogs in today’s society, journalists have changed Americans’ outlooks on many topics throughout history. Streitmatter mentions his Frederick Douglas’ writings helped turned Americans against slavery and how several news mediums today have helped to advocate and secure rights for the LGBT community. In these important and, as described by Streitmatter, “crucial” moments, journalism has been more than an accompaniment to history but rather something that has changed the course of history.

Ultimately, journalism is nearly always documenting history and, when written with purpose and talent, can have a decisive impact on our history. However the media may evolve in the future, journalism and history will always be intertwined.