The New York Times is marking its 175th anniversary with a major retrospective project led by editor David Shipley. The first issue was published on Sept. 18, 1851, and the milestone has inspired nearly 50 stories from dozens of writers through mid-December. Shipley described the experience as a joy, offering perspective on how today’s challenges echo those of the past.

Special features include a weekly "Eyewitness" series highlighting journalists’ firsthand accounts, such as Dan Barry’s piece on Samuel Wilkeson at Gettysburg, John Darnton’s reflection on martial law in Poland in 1981, Nick Kristof’s coverage of Tiananmen Square in 1989, and Isabel Wilkerson’s reporting on Midwest floods in 1993. The project also includes mini-essays on historic objects and first mentions in the paper, contributions from figures like Lena Dunham and Margaret Atwood, and interactions between current critics and their predecessors. All content will be free online.

Shipley emphasized humility, acknowledging gaps in coverage while striving for comprehensiveness across Opinion, the Magazine, and news sections. The effort aims to highlight the human element behind journalism, underscoring that reporters are not algorithms but observers of history.