Long before BostInno dominated the publishing game in Massachusetts, there was the Boston Gazette. On this day in Boston history a solid 294-years ago (back in 1719) the first issue of the weekly Boston Gazette was circulated around the Shawmut Peninsula, becoming one of the most popular platforms for relaying opposition to the British Crown during the time of revolutionary America.

The Boston Gazette was founded to challenge the colonial supremacy of  The Boston News-Letter, often regarded as the first continuously published news source of its time. First published by James Franklin (Founding Father Benjamin’s older brother), the tabloid featured a number prolific contributors such as Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. Franklin, of course, would go on to publish the New England Courant to which younger brother and indentured servant Ben would submit comedic and insightful letters under the pseudonym Silence Dogood.

Taking on a slew of publishers, editors, and names over the subsequent years, the Gazette eventually became the Boston-Gazette, or New-England Weekly Journal  after acquiring the latter.

But, as they say, all good things must come to an end. As noted by author and historian Isaiah Thomas, the Gazette “lost its great contributors and its tone and policy were changed.” It vehemently opposed the idea of George Washington’s presidential administration as well as that of the Constitution.

Says Thomas, “the paper declined in interest, power, and popular favor, till, after a long struggle, in 1798, it was discontinued for want of support.”

A solid 79-year run for the paper in colonial times certainly would’ve exceeded most expectations, but without it, we have to wonder, would BostInno be the powerhouse it is today? We can only speculate. But regardless, happy birthday, Boston Gazette!