Front Page Prediction

The New York Post made a bold front-page prediction this morning. Was it a safe call? Or one that could add its name to the list of newspapers through history that have incorrectly reported election results? Remember "Dewey Defeats Truman"? The Post, by the way, endorsed John McCain. Read about past election coverage in this Newseum essay and about past mistakes.

One Day and Counting

Five U.S. newspapers have reporters traveling the campaign trail with presidential candidates:

The New York Times, which is all smiles today with photos of John McCain and Barack Obama. "McCain embraces his lighter side," the Times said. "Obama's Even Keel Holds in Final Turn."

The Washington Post, which looked at "A Positively Negative Home Stretch," noting "McCain, Obama Break Tradition By Staying on Attack."

The Wall Street Journal, which reported, "Obama leads in the Home Stretch."

The Los Angeles Times, which examined the Big O -- Ohio. "Both campaigns target Ohio, and both have volunteers mobilized. But Obama's team may have the advantage."

The Chicago Tribune, which referred to "One last day of historic campaign" content inside. It also promoted a customize-your-ballot feature on its Web site and reminded readers to check the site on Tuesday for results, analysis, photos and video.

Farewell from New York

The New York Sun published its last edition today after Editor Seth Lipsky told employees that the newspaper "explored every possible way to avoid having to cease publication." The last Page One featured "Seven Years of the Sun" in front pages. Inside, the newspaper published its own obituary. With today's edition, The Sun joined the ranks of deceased newspapers, including The Washington Star, which folded in 1981 and is on display in the Newseum's News Corporation News History Gallery.

Farewell to the House that Ruth Built

How do you say goodbye? When it came to the 85-year-0ld Yankee Stadium, saying goodbye meant past champions and fans, salutes and waves, aerials and closeups. However they chose to bid adieu, New York and New Jersey newspapers said it on the front page.

Clever Satire or Tasteless Humor?

That's the question the National Post of Toronto asked about the cover of the New Yorker magazine that depicts Barack Obama as a Muslim and Michelle Obama with an AK-47. "'Absurd' cartoon offends," the Post's subhead said. The cover also made the front page of the Buffalo (New York) News, which said: "New Yorker cover depicts fear-based attacks on Democratic candidate, wife." The News invited comments on the story on its Web site. Was the New Yorker cover just Big Apple humor? The New York Times notes today that there has been little humor about the candidate for president. "Want Obama in a Punch Line? First, Find a Joke."

A Head Turner

The New York Post and its "Miley's Sham" cover was today's most popular front page at the Newseum. Heads turned as visitors to the "Today's Front Pages" Gallery noticed a front page that featured an Annie Leibovitz photo taken for "Vanity Fair" that reportedly embarrassed its subject -- teen idol Miley Cyrus. The story continued as community newspapers, including The State of Columbia, S.C., offered reaction of local tweens and teens.

One Day in the Campaign

The presidential campaign has had its ups and downs and stops and starts. A one-day snapshot of the campaign is provided by The Washington Post, The New York Times and USA TODAY, which reported a surge in voter registration for Democrats, a move by Barack Obama to gather support among blue-collar voters and a strong run by John McCain. The Newseum is archiving front pages from the campaign.

Smaller Post

The size of the New York Post is slightly smaller today, the result of a 1-1/2 inch reduction in the height of the News Corp. newspaper.

Pope finale

As Pope Benedict XVI heads home to Rome, New York newspapers bid farewell with Monday front pages dedicated to the pontiff's events on Sunday, the final day of a six-day visit -- a blessing at Ground Zero and a Mass for 60,000 at Yankee Stadium. The Newseum has archived coverage of the pope's visit to the East Coast.

Where's the magic?

Pope Benedict XVI's six-day visit to the U.S. has been filled with pomp -- and substance. Papal events have been almost mesmerizing on TV news, and online news sites have explained and examined aspects of the visit in creative ways. Yet newspaper front pages have been lackluster in their efforts.

One newspaper that has done an exceptional job in advance of Benedict's visit to New York is The Journal News of Westchester, N.Y. Its Web package, Benedict in America, offered video, slideshows and a blog written by religion reporter Gary Stern. The Journal News' front page dissects the papal itinerary in New York.