The News Letter celebrates 280 years in print

Front covers of various incarnations of the Belfast News Letter

The News Letter - the oldest English language daily newspaper in the world - celebrates its 280th birthday this week.

It was launched in September 1737, although the exact date can't be verified as all editions from the first year of publication have been lost.

The first surviving issue is dated October 1738.

The calendar used at the time was the Julian, although the UK replaced this with the Gregorian in 1752.

An antique printing press such as this was used in the early days of the News Letter

The 'Gregorian' calendar is still in use today.

Alistair Bushe, the current editor, said he felt a real sense of privilege when he was appointed.

"Having worked for the paper as a reporter about a decade before, I was very conscious of the cherished history of the News Letter and its status as the oldest continuously published English language daily in the world," he said.

"It's quite something to reach a landmark like a 280th birthday."

Some of the lesser known facts about the News Letter are that:

• It was originally called The Belfast News Letter and General Advertiser

• It was established in 1737 by the printer, Francis Joy, appeared twice a week (on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and was printed in three columns on both sides of a 15" x 9" sheet of paper

• Despite having had nationalist roots, its identity has been unionist for a very long time - although, as Mr Bushe says: "That doesn't stop us from reporting impartially"

• Ulster Presbyterians used it throughout the 18th Century to encourage emigration to America by publishing - on a daily basis - advertisements complete with ship timetables and fares

• In the early years of its circulation, illiterate men would assemble on appointed evenings to hear the paper read aloud by the district school master. As such, it taught people the importance of education and precipitated the formation of night schools

• By July 1759, the sub-title of General Advertiser had been dropped from the masthead and the paper became The Belfast News Letter

• Between 1 January 1789 and 4 July 1794, its circulation rose from 2,100 to 3,225 copies. These were often passed from hand to hand until, in some cases, until they were in tatters. In fact, founder Francis Joy estimated each copy was read by about six people

• In 1798, it reported the hanging of Henry Joy McCracken - Joy's grandson

• The News Letter became the first Ulster newspaper to use pictures when, as part of its coverage of the Duke Of Wellington's state funeral in 1852, it included photographs of the ceremony.

• By 1854 it had grown to 32 columns, was published three times a week and, in 1858, it appointed its first London correspondent

• Although some weekly titles are older, it is the oldest English language daily currently in circulation

• The News Letter's past staff include BBC reporters such as Mark Simpson, Chris Thornton, Gareth Gordon and Gordon Adair

'Testing times for the print media'

As for what the future holds, the paper's current editor is pragmatic.

A bust of Henry Joy McCracken in Kilmainham Gaol

"Readers moving to digital presents opportunities," said Mr Bushe.

"Our journalism is more widely read now than it has ever been because of the success of our website.

"But we want to keep that traditional printed product as strong as possible for as long as possible," he added.