Public Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick,

The first multi-page newspaper, Public Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick, was published in Boston by Benjamin Harris in 1690, but was suppressed after the first issue.

Before this time, one-page newspapers, called a broadsides, were published in the English colonies and printed in Cambridge in 1689.

The Governor and Council, on Sept. 29th,1690 issued an order as follows: "Whereas some have lately presumed to Print and Disperse a Pamphlet, Entitled, Publick Occurrences, both Forreign and Domestick: Boston, Thursday, Septemb. 25th, 1690. Without the least Privity and Countenace of Authority. The Governour and Council having had the perusal of said Pamphlet, and finding that therein contained Reflections of a very high nature: As also sundry doubtful and uncertain Reports, do hereby manifest and declare their high Resentment and Disallowance of said Pamphlet, and Order that the same be Suppressed and called in; strickly forbidden any person or persons ffor the future to Set forth any thing in Print without License first obtained from those that are or shall be appointed by the Government to grant the same."

Thus the paper was effectively censored and snuffed.

Benjamin Harris was a former publisher of Whig books, pamphlets, and a newspaper in London. Harris had fled England with his family four years earlier after clashing with authorities for publishing seditious pamphlets, leading to uncomfortable episodes in the pillory and jail. Successful financial ventures, including a Boston bookstore, coffeehouse, and general printing business, soon enabled him to launch his second newspaper. Publick Occurrences was intended to be "furnished once a moneth (or if any Glut of Occurrences happen, oftener)." Unfortunately, he once again ran afoul of the government, and official reaction was swift and certain. Four days after distribution.