World Almanac
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The World Almanac and Book of Facts is a well-known American published reference work which conveys information to the general public about such subjects as world changes, tragedies, sports feats, etc. The almanac can be found in homes, libraries, schools, businesses, and media outlets throughout the United States and to a more limited degree in other parts of the world. It has been published yearly since 1886.
The 2007 edition has 1,008 pages with a suggested U.S. price of $12.99. (ISBN of 2007 edition: ISBN 0-88687-995-7).
- "My #1 reference work for facts." -- Will Shortz, The New York Times Crossword Editor
- "Useful to any human being on the planet. The World Almanac still reigns as the world's most powerful reference." --The Seattle Times
- "The most useful reference book known to modern man." --Los Angeles Times
- "It's the best in the business" --Manchester Union Leader
[edit] History
The first edition of THE WORLD ALMANAC was published by The New York World newspaper in 1868 (the name of the publication comes from the newspaper itself, which was known as "The World"). Its 120 pages of information touched on such events as the process of Reconstruction and the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson.
Publication was suspended in 1876, but in 1886 famed newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, who had purchased The New York World and quickly transformed it into one of the most influential newspapers in the country, revived THE WORLD ALMANAC with the intention of making it "a compendium of universal knowledge." THE WORLD ALMANAC has been published annually ever since.
In 1894, when it claimed more than a half-million "habitual users," THE WORLD ALMANAC changed its name to THE WORLD ALMANAC AND ENCYCLOPEDIA. This was the title it kept until 1923, when it became THE WORLD ALMANAC AND BOOK OF FACTS, the name it bears today.
During World War II, THE WORLD ALMANAC could boast that it was read by GIs all over the world: between 1944 and 1946, at the request of the U.S. Government, THE WORLD ALMANAC had special print runs of 100,000 to 150,000 copies for distribution to the armed forces.
In 1961, a wire service photograph showed President John F. Kennedy sitting behind his desk in the Oval Office and on his desk were 6 books: the only reference book was THE WORLD ALMANAC. Amazingly, almost 40 years later, a 1999 New York Times photo showed President Bill Clinton in almost the exact same position, seated at his desk in the Oval Office. Clearly visible on the desk behind him are busts of Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, pictures of his wife and daughter, a Bible, and a copy of THE WORLD ALMANAC. And they're not the only U.S. Presidents who have relied on THE WORLD ALMANAC: at Franklin Roosevelt's home in Hyde Park, NY, a reproduction of his White House desk includes a copy of THE WORLD ALMANAC 1945.
In 1923, Calvin Coolidge was sworn as president after Warren Harding's sudden death by his father, a Vermont Justice, who read the oath of office from a copy of THE WORLD ALMANAC.
From the late 19th Century to 1934, the New York World Building was prominently featured on the cover of the almanac.
THE WORLD ALMANAC is the bestselling U.S. reference book of all time, with more than 80 million copies sold since it was first published in 1868.
Over the years THE WORLD ALMANAC has become a household name and has been featured in a number of Hollywood films. For example, Fred MacMurray talks about it with Edward G. Robinson in Double Indemnity; Bette Davis screams about it in All About Eve; Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper flirt about it in Love in the Afternoon; it is featured in Miracle on 34th Street when a trial is held to see if Santa Claus really exists; and Rosie Perez continually reads it in the film White Men Can't Jump.
THE WORLD ALMANAC also makes frequent appearances on television. It has been featured on Wheel of Fortune as a puzzle title to solve, and it is regularly cited as a source on Jeopardy! — and as a source for contestants preparing for that shows.
THE WORLD ALMANAC issues a free monthly e-newsletter featuring year-round updates of the most turned-to sections of the Almanac.
The World Almanac used to be bundled with the purchase of the video game, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego.
The World Almanac For Kids has been published annually since (1995). This book is filled with kid-friendly facts on topics from Faces and Places to sports, and Magic to Music, Numbers, and the United States. The 2007 edition has 352 pages with a suggested U.S. price of $12/99. (ISBN 0-88687-983-3).
Other titles include The World Almanac Book of Records (2006), Yo! I Know Brain-Building Quizzes (2006) and The World Almanac for Booklovers (2005), and
The World Almanac is now produced by the World Almanac Education Group, which is owned by The Weekly Reader corporation (WRC Media Inc.). The World Almanac is distributed throughout the world by Simon & Schuster.
Some lists published are:
- "World Almanac's Ten Most Influential People of the Second Millennium", 2000
- "World Almanac's 25 Most Influential Women in America" (includes Helen Thomas, Gloria Steinem, Jane Bryant Quinn, Mary Cunningham Agee, Erma Bombeck, Phyllis Schlafly, ...)
