The Birth of TIME

By Richard Stengel, Managing Editor

The 85 Years of TIME 1923 1976 1987 2008

Yes, we're turning 85 this year, and while no one over a certain age likes to be reminded of a significant birthday, our history is a vital part of who we are. We have been explaining the world for our readers since 1923, converting confusion into clarity, information into knowledge--and people trust us to do it fairly. We have been an icon in the American cultural landscape for a long time, and on the occasion of our 85th, we wanted to offer a brief look back at how the magazine has covered some of the most historic events of the past and show how we have evolved from a wide-eyed start-up to the premier global news brand. Later this spring we will publish TIME: 85 Years of Great Writing, a collection of some of our favorite and most famous stories by our best writers. Several of those stories are mentioned on the following pages. As ever, TIME is of the essence.