'New York Times' Turns 150

By: Joe Strupp The New York Times, which turns 150 next week, is hardly letting its anniversary pass without notice. The erstwhile "Gray Lady" plans to mark its sesquicentennial with a flurry of publicity, ranging from discounted admissions at museums and theaters worldwide to a special 60-page section on the paper's history.

In addition, about 80 notable figures from the entertainment and arts industries -- such as "The Sopranos" creator David Chase, director Martin Scorsese, and rock legend Lou Reed -- will converge at Times headquarters near Times Square for a special discussion series between Sept. 13 and Sept. 16.

The sesquicentennial is "another opportunity for us to remind our readers and advertisers of the role of The New York Times," said Alyse Myers, vice president of marketing. "It has exceeded our expectations wonderfully."

Launched Sept. 18, 1851, as the New York Daily Times, the paper has grown to become one of the most influential and dominant newspapers worldwide, and plans to keep expanding in the 21st century. A new, 1.3-million-square-foot headquarters being constructed on Eighth Avenue in New York is set to open in 2005, while national distribution of the daily paper is expanding yearly.

This year, the Times has struck four distribution deals to provide home delivery of the national edition in Dayton, Ohio; Gastonia, N.C.; Princeton, Minn.; and Ann Arbor, Mich. Times Director of Community Affairs Diane McNulty said two more such agreements will take effect next year.