Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
The Houston Chronicle was established in the early 20th century by an individual previously affiliated with the Houston Post.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Houston Chronicle was founded in 1901 by Marcellus E. Foster, a former reporter for the Houston Post.
Marcellus E. Foster utilized profits derived from the oil industry to finance the initial establishment of the Houston Chronicle.
Answer: True
Explanation: Marcellus E. Foster funded the establishment of the Houston Chronicle using profits generated from his investment in the Spindletop oil boom.
The inaugural issue of the Houston Chronicle was offered to the public at a price of five cents per copy.
Answer: False
Explanation: The first edition of the Houston Chronicle, published on October 14, 1901, was priced at two cents per copy, which was notably lower than the prevailing five-cent price for most newspapers at the time.
Jesse H. Jones acquired a majority stake in the Houston Chronicle in 1908, becoming a co-owner through a purchase from Marcellus E. Foster.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Jesse H. Jones became a co-owner in 1908, his initial involvement was through a commission to build a new facility, for which he received a half-interest as a down payment, rather than a direct majority stake purchase from Foster.
Identify the founder of the Houston Chronicle and the initial source of its funding.
Answer: Marcellus E. Foster, using profits from his investment in the Spindletop oil boom.
Explanation: The Houston Chronicle was founded by Marcellus E. Foster, who utilized profits from his investment in the Spindletop oil boom to finance its establishment.
Describe Jesse H. Jones's initial involvement with the Houston Chronicle.
Answer: He was commissioned by Foster to build a new facility and was offered a half-interest in the paper.
Explanation: In 1908, Jesse H. Jones was commissioned by Marcellus E. Foster to construct a new facility for the newspaper. As part of this arrangement, Jones was offered a half-interest in the paper.
Jesse H. Jones secured complete ownership of the Houston Chronicle in 1926 via a combination of immediate payment and a deferred financial arrangement.
Answer: True
Explanation: Jesse H. Jones became the sole owner of the Houston Chronicle on June 26, 1926, through a transaction that included $300,000 in cash and a note for $500,000 payable over thirty-five years.
In 1937, Jesse H. Jones transferred the ownership of the Houston Chronicle to a publicly traded corporation.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1937, Jesse H. Jones transferred ownership of the Houston Chronicle not to a publicly traded company, but to Houston Endowment Inc., an entity he established.
The Hearst Corporation acquired the Houston Chronicle in 1987 for approximately $120 million.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Hearst Corporation acquired the Houston Chronicle on May 1, 1987, for a sum of $415 million, not $120 million.
When did Jesse H. Jones become the sole owner of the Houston Chronicle?
Answer: June 26, 1926
Explanation: Jesse H. Jones acquired sole ownership of the Houston Chronicle on June 26, 1926.
To what entity did Jesse H. Jones transfer ownership of the Houston Chronicle in 1937?
Answer: Houston Endowment Inc.
Explanation: In 1937, Jesse H. Jones transferred ownership of the Houston Chronicle to Houston Endowment Inc., an entity he had established.
For what amount did the Hearst Corporation acquire the Houston Chronicle in 1987?
Answer: $415 million
Explanation: The Hearst Corporation purchased the Houston Chronicle in 1987 for $415 million.
Marcellus E. Foster publicly endorsed the Ku Klux Klan through his newspaper columns during the 1920s.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to endorsing the Ku Klux Klan, Marcellus E. Foster wrote columns under the pen name 'Mefo' expressing opposition to the organization during the 1920s.
During the 1950s, the Houston Chronicle actively engaged in investigative journalism and addressed contentious issues such as racial integration.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the 1950s, the Houston Chronicle generally represented the conservative interests of the Houston business establishment and tended to avoid controversial topics like racial integration, thus not engaging in significant investigative journalism.
Jesse H. Jones maintained that a newspaper's primary objective should be profit maximization over public service.
Answer: False
Explanation: Jesse H. Jones viewed newspaper publication as a public trust, emphasizing the importance of being fearless, honest, and serving the greatest good for the greatest number, rather than prioritizing profit.
William P. Steven was appointed as the editor of the Houston Chronicle in 1961.
Answer: True
Explanation: William P. Steven was hired as the editor of the Houston Chronicle in 1961 by John T. Jones.
The 'Watchem' column, initiated by William P. Steven, provided a platform for readers to submit positive feedback regarding community services.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Watchem' column, created by editor William P. Steven, was designed to allow ordinary citizens to voice their complaints and concerns, serving as a prototype for modern newspaper 'Action Line' features.
William P. Steven's dismissal in 1965 was primarily attributed to a decline in the newspaper's circulation figures.
Answer: False
Explanation: William P. Steven's dismissal in September 1965 was influenced by conflicts arising from his progressive political philosophy and potential assurances given regarding political interests, rather than circulation decline.
The Houston Chronicle's endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 marked the first instance of the newspaper supporting a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Houston Chronicle's endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 was historically significant as it represented the first time the newspaper had backed a Democratic presidential candidate since its endorsement of Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
In 2018, the Houston Chronicle retracted eight articles due to verified reporting errors committed by multiple staff members.
Answer: False
Explanation: The retraction of eight stories in 2018 stemmed from allegations of fabricated sources and unverified information, not general reporting errors by multiple staff members.
Lisa Falkenberg is identified as the sole journalist associated with the Houston Chronicle to have received a Pulitzer Prize.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Lisa Falkenberg has won Pulitzer Prizes, she is not the only journalist associated with the Houston Chronicle to have received this award; other staff members have also been recognized or were finalists.
Following the September 11 attacks, Robert Jensen's opinion pieces published in the Houston Chronicle suggested that the United States bore partial responsibility for the events.
Answer: True
Explanation: Robert Jensen, a journalism professor, published opinion articles in the Chronicle after the September 11 attacks asserting that the U.S. was 'just as guilty' and drew comparisons to U.S. foreign policy actions.
What was Marcellus E. Foster's public stance regarding the Ku Klux Klan during the 1920s?
Answer: He wrote columns under the pen name 'Mefo' expressing opposition to the KKK.
Explanation: During the 1920s, Marcellus E. Foster articulated his opposition to the Ku Klux Klan through newspaper columns published under the pseudonym 'Mefo'.
Which description best characterizes the Houston Chronicle's general political stance and journalistic approach during the 1950s?
Answer: Conservative, representing the business establishment and avoiding controversial topics.
Explanation: During the 1950s, the Houston Chronicle generally aligned with the conservative political interests of the Houston business establishment and tended to avoid controversial subjects, which contributed to a decline in readership relative to competitors.
What innovation, introduced by editor William P. Steven, is recognized as a prototype for modern newspaper 'Action Line' features?
Answer: The 'Watchem' column allowing citizens to voice complaints.
Explanation: The 'Watchem' column, created by editor William P. Steven, enabled ordinary citizens to submit complaints and is considered a pioneering prototype for contemporary newspaper 'Action Line' sections.
Why was the Houston Chronicle's endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 considered a notable event?
Answer: It marked the first Democratic endorsement since 1964.
Explanation: The 2008 endorsement of Barack Obama by the Houston Chronicle was significant because it represented the first time the newspaper had supported a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964.
What was the primary issue underlying the 2018 scandal involving Austin bureau chief Mike Ward?
Answer: Fabrication of sources, leading to retracted stories.
Explanation: The 2018 scandal centered on allegations that Austin bureau chief Mike Ward fabricated sources, leading to the retraction of eight stories after an internal investigation could not verify nearly half of the individuals quoted.
What was the primary reason for the retraction of eight Houston Chronicle stories in September 2018?
Answer: The sources quoted in the stories could not be verified.
Explanation: The retraction of eight stories in September 2018 was necessitated by the discovery that the sources cited within them could not be verified, following allegations against reporter Mike Ward.
By 1964, the Houston Chronicle attained the status of the largest newspaper in Texas following the acquisition of assets from the Houston Press.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the purchase of the Houston Press's assets in 1964, the Houston Chronicle achieved a circulation of 254,000, establishing it as the largest newspaper in Texas at that time.
In 1994, the Houston Chronicle altered its publication schedule to exclusively feature evening editions.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1994, the Houston Chronicle transitioned its publication schedule to become a morning-only newspaper, not an evening-only one.
Subsequent to the cessation of publication by the Houston Post in 1995, the Houston Chronicle emerged as the sole major daily newspaper serving the Houston metropolitan area.
Answer: True
Explanation: With the closure of the Houston Post on April 18, 1995, the Houston Chronicle became the only major daily newspaper operating in Houston.
Internal documentation indicates that the Houston Chronicle reached an agreement to purchase the Houston Post's assets approximately one year prior to the Post ceasing publication.
Answer: False
Explanation: Internal memos suggest that the agreement to purchase the Houston Post's assets was reached approximately six months before the Post officially ceased publication, not a full year prior.
As of April 2016, the Houston Chronicle held the highest circulation rank among United States newspapers for its Sunday editions.
Answer: False
Explanation: In April 2016, the Houston Chronicle ranked as the third-largest newspaper in the United States based on its Sunday circulation figures.
The reported circulation of the Houston Chronicle in 2023 exceeded 140,000.
Answer: True
Explanation: As of 2023, the Houston Chronicle reported a circulation figure of 142,785.
What was the circulation of the Houston Chronicle by the conclusion of its initial month of publication?
Answer: 4,378 copies.
Explanation: By the end of its first month of publication in October 1901, the Houston Chronicle had achieved a circulation of 4,378 copies.
Which event significantly contributed to the Houston Chronicle becoming the largest newspaper in Texas by 1964?
Answer: The acquisition of the Houston Press assets.
Explanation: The acquisition of the Houston Press's assets in 1964 was a key factor that propelled the Houston Chronicle's circulation to become the largest in Texas.
What modification to its publication schedule did the Houston Chronicle implement in 1994?
Answer: It switched to a morning-only publication schedule.
Explanation: In 1994, the Houston Chronicle adjusted its publication schedule to become a morning-only newspaper.
What was the consequence for the Houston Chronicle following the closure of the Houston Post in 1995?
Answer: The Chronicle became Houston's sole major daily newspaper.
Explanation: Upon the closure of the Houston Post in 1995, the Houston Chronicle assumed the position of Houston's only major daily newspaper.
In April 2016, what was the Houston Chronicle's ranking in the United States based on Sunday circulation?
Answer: Third largest
Explanation: As of April 2016, the Houston Chronicle held the position of the third-largest newspaper in the United States concerning its Sunday circulation figures.
What circulation figure was reported for the Houston Chronicle in 2023?
Answer: 142,785
Explanation: The Houston Chronicle reported a circulation of 142,785 as of the year 2023.
Under Jesse H. Jones's leadership, the Houston Chronicle expanded its media holdings to include radio broadcasting through the acquisition of KTRH.
Answer: True
Explanation: During Jesse H. Jones's tenure, the Houston Chronicle acquired the radio station KTRH in 1937 and was also involved in the launch of television station KTRK-TV in 1954.
The current headquarters of the Houston Chronicle is situated in the former building complex previously occupied by the Houston Post.
Answer: True
Explanation: The current headquarters of the Houston Chronicle is located at 4747 Southwest Freeway, a facility that was formerly the headquarters of the Houston Post.
The former Houston Chronicle building at 801 Texas Avenue was demolished and subsequently repurposed into a museum.
Answer: False
Explanation: The former Houston Chronicle building at 801 Texas Avenue was demolished in 2017; however, the site was not repurposed into a museum but is now occupied by the Texas Tower.
The Houston Chronicle has received institutional recognition for its contributions to community service and its commitment to fostering tolerance.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Houston Chronicle has been honored with awards such as the Joseph T. Ainsworth Volunteer Community Award and the 'Guardian of the Human Spirit' award from Holocaust Museum Houston for its commitment to tolerance and community engagement.
In 2004, the Houston Chronicle launched a Spanish-language supplement titled 'La Voz de Houston'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Houston Chronicle distributed a Spanish-language supplement called 'La Vibra' in 2004 and later acquired the Spanish-language newspaper 'La Voz de Houston' in December 2004.
The Houston Chronicle's online platform, HoustonChronicle.com, offers unrestricted access to all its content for every reader.
Answer: False
Explanation: HoustonChronicle.com, launched in 2012, operates as a subscriber-only website, providing access to the full content of the daily print edition.
What media assets were acquired or established by the Houston Chronicle under Jesse H. Jones's leadership?
Answer: Radio station KTRH and television station KTRK-TV.
Explanation: Under Jesse H. Jones's leadership, the Chronicle acquired radio station KTRH in 1937 and was involved in the launch of television station KTRK-TV in 1954.
What is the location of the Houston Chronicle's current headquarters?
Answer: 4747 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas.
Explanation: The current headquarters of the Houston Chronicle is located at 4747 Southwest Freeway in Houston, Texas, a facility that was previously the headquarters of the Houston Post.
What was the stated reason for the removal of Houston Post articles from the Houston Chronicle's website?
Answer: Compliance issues related to the *New York Times Co. v. Tasini* Supreme Court decision.
Explanation: Houston Post articles were removed from the Chronicle's website due to challenges in complying with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in *New York Times Co. v. Tasini*, which affected the republication rights of archived materials.
Where can individuals access archived articles from the Houston Post if they are not available online through the Chronicle?
Answer: On microfilm at the Houston Public Library and University of Houston Libraries.
Explanation: Archived articles from the Houston Post can be accessed on microfilm at the Houston Public Library and the University of Houston Libraries, as online availability is limited.
What is the purpose of the 'Goodfellows' program initiated by the Houston Chronicle?
Answer: An annual initiative to provide toys to needy children during the holidays.
Explanation: The 'Goodfellows' program, established in 1911, is an annual initiative by the Houston Chronicle dedicated to providing toys to underprivileged children during the holiday season.
What is the operational model of the HoustonChronicle.com website, launched in 2012?
Answer: A subscriber-only website containing the full print edition content.
Explanation: Launched in 2012, HoustonChronicle.com functions as a subscriber-only platform offering the complete content of the newspaper's daily print edition.