Stephen Daye Sr. emigrated from England to the British colony of Massachusetts and became the first printer in colonial America. He printed the Bay Psalm Book in 1640, the first book known to have been printed in the present day United States.
The Whole Booke of Psalmes Faithfully Translated into English Metre, printed by Stephen Daye, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1640. First book printed in British North America
1939 U.S. stamp commemorating the 300th anniversary of printing in colonial America
Early American publishers and printers
Early American publishers and printers played a central role in the social, religious, political and commercial development of the Thirteen Colonies in British America prior to and during the American Revolution and the ensuing American Revolutionary War that established American independence.
A typical printing press of the 18th century. Religious enthusiasm and the great demand for bibles and other religious works is largely what promoted the first printing efforts in the American colonies. Before and during the American Revolution colonial printers were also actively publishing newspapers and pamphlets expressing the strong sentiment against British colonial policy and taxation.
The May 9, 1754 issue of The Pennsylvania Gazette, published in Philadelphia
The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to publish the Declaration of Independence following its unanimous adoption on July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress
In 1939, the United States Postal Service issued a stamp depicting John Day's printing press and commemorating the 300th anniversary of publishing during the colonial era.
