1800
1827
Samuel F.B. Morse launches The Journal of Commerce in New York. Newspaper’s original page size was 35 by 24 inches.
1828
The Journal of Commerce buys a deepwater schooner to meet incoming liners from Europe at Sandy Hook to gather news ahead of the competition.
1833
The Journal of Commerce sets up its own “pony express” from Philadelphia and Washington to New York. The government, claiming illegal competition, shuts it down and purchases the horses.
1834
Arrival of British-flag Sirius and Great Western marks start of permanent trans-Atlantic steamship service to New York.
1837
Samuel F.B. Morse patents magnetic telegraph. 1840 The New Jersey becomes the first propeller-driven commercial vessel in America.
1848
The JoC and six other newspapers form the Associated Press, now the world’s largest news-gathering organization. JoC Publisher Gerard Hallock was AP’s first chairman.
1854
Matthew Perry concludes Treaty of Kanagawa, opening Japan to Western trade.
1861
Civil War begins with bombardment of Fort Sumter. Ten days later, the JoC is banned from U.S. mails for “disloyalty.” Transcontinental telegraph is completed.
1864
JoC is closed on order of President Lincoln. It reopens three days later.
1865
Civil War ends with Lee’s surrender. 1869 Suez Canal opens. Transcontinental railway is completed.
1875
Carriers in England-India trade establish first rate-setting conference.
1887
Interstate Commerce Commission is established.
1893
Panic of 1893 leads to 15,000 U.S. business failures. JoC merges with the Commercial Bulletin.
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1900
1902
First trans-Atlantic wireless transmission made by Marconi. 1903 Wright brothers make first powered flight. 1904
U.S. adopts gold standard, stabilizing dollar’s value. 1907 Financial panic provides impetus for creation of U.S. central bank. 1913 Federal Reserve Act is enacted, with key portions written by H. Parker Willis, JoC editor.
1914
Panama Canal opens. World War I begins in Europe.
1916
Shipping Act of 1916 legalizes ocean carriers’ U.S. antitrust immunity.
1917
U.S. enters World War I. 1918 World War I ends.
1920
Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (Jones Act) becomes law.
1929
Stock market crashes, followed by Great Depression.
1930
Smoot-Hawley tariff is enacted, reducing international trade.
1934
International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union is founded, with Harry Bridges as president.
1936
Merchant Marine Act of 1936 revives U.S.-flag fleet and shipyards on eve of World War II.
1939
World War II begins with German invasion of Poland.
1941
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, bringing U.S. into war.
1944
World Bank and International Monetary Fund created at Bretton Woods, N.H. 1945 WWII ends. United Nations charter is signed by 50 nations in San Francisco.
1947
Marshall Plan paves way for rebuilding of Europe. International Civil Aviation Organization is established by 146 countries.
1956
Malcom McLean introduces container ship with coastwise sailing of converted tanker Ideal X.
1957
European Economic Community is created.
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1958
First General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade signed by 80 nations. 1959
St. Lawrence Seaway opens.
1960
ILWU, Pacific Maritime Association sign Mechanization and Modernization Agreement, allowing containerization to take hold on West Coast.
1967
First trans-Atlantic container service is launched by Sea-Land.
1971
U.S. lifts embargo on trade with China. Seatrain introduces first U.S. landbridge tariffs.
1973
Arab nations cut off Western oil supplies, causing major economic disruption. JoC publishes the news six days before official announcement.
1978
Civil Aviation Act relaxes economic regulation of U.S. aviation industry.
1980
U.S. truck and rail industries are deregulated.
1981
American President Lines introduces first double-stack intermodal train.
1984
Shipping Act of 1984 gives legal authority to carrier intermodal agreements, shippers’ associations.
1986
International Longshoremen’s Association, facing non-ILA competition in Southern ports, accepts first pay cuts in 50 years.
1989
Cold War ends with collapse of the Soviet Union.
1992
NAFTA is signed by Canada, Mexico and the U.S., creating world’s largest trading bloc.
1993
World Trade Center, home of the JoC since 1991, is bombed. JoC continues publishing without interruption.
1998
Ocean Shipping Reform Act legalizes confidential shipper-carrier contracts.
2000
2000
JoC launches weekly magazine and JoC Online to replace printed newspaper.
2001
Terrorist attacks destroy World Trade Center, damage Pentagon, killing 3,000.
2002 JoC celebrates 175th anniversary. |
