University of Mississippi

 

 

 

 

---

 

18 

 

 

 

CHAPTER II: Print Playground 

The history of children’s magazines in the United States reflects the country’s history. 

The year 1789 marks the publication of the first American children’s magazine, the ratification 

of the United States constitution, and the inauguration of George Washington as the first 

president of the new nation. Both the country and juvenile periodicals began at the same time 

and are indelibly entwined.  

Taft divided magazine history into titled slices of time: a period of beginning that lasted 

until 1794, the era of nationalism until 1825 was followed by a period of expansion until 1850. 

The 15 years before the Civil War is described as the period of politics and war. The 25 years 

from 1865 until 1890 were the golden era and the muckrakers’ era lasted until 1914.

1