Today marks a remarkable 198 years since the inaugural issue of the Cherokee Phoenix was released, showcasing the Cherokee syllabary crafted by the brilliant Sequoyah. Also known as George Gist, Sequoyah was a true polymath from the Cherokee Nation who achieved the extraordinary feat of creating a written system for his people’s language, making history as one of the few individuals from a pre-literate society to do so. Just like Sequoyah’s syllabary is still actively used today, the Cherokee Phoenix continues to thrive, nearly two centuries after its first publication in 1828.
The Cherokee Phoenix holds the distinguished title of being the first newspaper ever published by Native Americans in the United States, as well as the first to be printed in a Native American language. To ensure accessibility, the newspaper was provided free of charge to those who could only read Cherokee, while English readers were charged an annual fee of $2.50.
Each issue consisted of four pages with five columns of content. Editor Elias Boudinot announced that due to the slow process of translation between English and Cherokee, the newspaper would initially feature three columns printed in Cherokee each week. The first issue encompassed a variety of topics, including an article by Samuel Worcester that celebrated Sequoyah’s invention of the syllabary, and Boudinot’s inaugural editorial, which voiced concerns over white settlers encroaching on Cherokee land.
As the pressing issue of land removal in Georgia gained national attention, the Cherokee Phoenix organized a fundraising and publicity tour that drew in new subscribers from all over the United States and Europe.
Unfortunately, as government actions threatened to seize their land, the annuity payments owed to the Cherokee were halted, leading to the newspaper’s suspension in 1835. However, the spirit of the Cherokee Phoenix was revived in the 20th century during the Cherokee’s exile in Oklahoma. In a heartwarming turn of events, on October 19, 2013, artists Jeff Marley and Frank Brannon collaborated to print using the Cherokee syllabary type at New Echota, Georgia, the original capital of the Cherokee Nation. This event marked the first use of syllabary printing type at New Echota since 1835, symbolizing a beautiful revival of culture and heritage.
In addition to this milestone, it’s also the anniversary of the founding of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) 78 years ago in Daytona Beach, Florida. Established by Bill France during the Great Depression, NASCAR was born from his vision of creating an exhilarating racing circuit that would captivate audiences. Before this, drivers often faced exploitation by dishonest promoters who would leave events without compensating them. France’s discussions with influential racers and promoters at the Ebony Bar in December 1947 led to the birth of NASCAR.
The very first NASCAR “Strictly Stock” race took place at Charlotte Speedway, where cars were initially known as the “Strictly Stock Division,” racing with minimal modifications from factory models. This division was eventually renamed to the “Grand National” division for the 1950 season.
Both the Cherokee Phoenix and NASCAR highlight the resilience and creativity of communities, celebrating their rich histories and the enduring legacies they continue to create.
