Today in History: First Telegraphic Message Sent
Today in History–May 24–the Library of Congress features the first telegraphic message, sent on this day in 1844 by Samuel F. B. Morse. This invention opened up a whole new era in communications. Learn more about Morse the inventor, Morse the painter, and the telegraph by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access numerous related primary sources.
Samuel F.B. Morse Sent the First Telegraphic Message from America’s Library
“The Magnetic Telegraph – it’s Success” New-York Daily Tribune, May 27, 1844
“Morse’s Magnetic Telegraph” Sunbury American, June 15, 1844
More telegraph newspaper articles from May and June, 1844
American Treasures from the Library
- First telegraphic message
- Map Showing the Telegraph Lines in Operation, Under Contract, and Contemplated to Complete the Circuit of the Globe, 1855
- World’s First Telecommunications Company
- Civil War telegram
Books and texts articles related to the telegraph
Telegraph-related recollections, correspondence & drawings
Related resources
- Today in History: The Transcontinental Telegraph & the End of the Pony Express
- Primary Source Spotlight: Samuel Morse
- Electromagnetism, Electric Communication, and Community Examine electro-magnetism and the science of communication through primary source analysis and construction of a telegraph machine