Simply Done

Millions of Americans went to the polls yesterday and made history, electing Barack Obama the country’s first African-American president.

The news was all but confirmed before many went to bed Tuesday night. So how does today’s front page distinguish itself from other media? By keeping it simple.

And with simplicity comes impact.

In an early edition distributed in the Midwest, Obama’s hometown Chicago Tribune simply said, “It’s Obama” with a photo of the victor and a cheering crowd. A simple black-and-white portrait of the Illinois senator graced the Sun-Times. “Mr. President,” said the label at the bottom of the page.

The News Journal of Wilmington in Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware used a single photo and a quote. Said the main headline: “ ‘Yes, we can.’”