History

Original, credible, clear-cut, and forward-focused, U.S.News & World Report has been guiding and empowering readers since 1933, when journalist David Lawrence (1888-1973) published the first issue of a weekly newspaper called the United States News. Six years later, Lawrence launched a magazine called World Report. The two weeklies merged in 1948, creating U.S.News & World Report.

From 1962 to 1984, U.S. News was an employee-owned entity. In 1984, publisher and real estate developer Mortimer B. Zuckerman bought the company. Under Mr. Zuckerman, U.S. News started its signature "America's Best" franchise, beginning with its annual rankings of American colleges and universities in 1983. The fall of 1987 marked the first publication of the newsstand guidebook, America's Best Colleges. The franchise expanded with America's Best Hospitals in 1990, and has continued to grow through America's Graduate Schools (1994), America's Best Health Plans (2005), America's Best Leaders (2005), and Best Places to Retire (Fall 2007).

In 1993, U.S. News ventured on to the Internet, acting as a content provider to the CompuServe Information Service for two years. Then, on November 6, 1995, U.S. News launched USNews.com. Initially, the site contained articles from the print edition of U.S. News. Now, USNews.com not only provides breaking news, multimedia, and blogs, but it also offers easy-to-use resources, interactive tools and unparalleled access to information that helps users make sense of key life-stage issues.

Today, the U.S.News & World Report brand is the leader in delivering reliable information that our audience can act on, whether it's voting for president or selecting a healthcare plan. Our credible, trusted content sets us apart—and it also propels us forward. From the continued expansion of our acclaimed News You Can Use® and America's Best franchises, to the redesign of USNews.com, to new partnerships, U.S. News Mobile, digital offerings and beyond, U.S. News is committed to investing in quality content, the Web, and circulation. Looking ahead, readers will be able to experience U.S. News in more ways than ever before—enabling them to access more of the content they trust in order to make better decisions to improve their lives.