In America the first magazines were published in 1741. In that year appeared Andrew Bradford's American Magazine, the first publication of its kind in the colonies. It was joined, a mere three days later, by Benjamin Franklin's General Magazine.

When was the first magazine published in America?

The first American magazines were published in 1741. Philadelphia printers Andrew Bradford and Benjamin Franklin—who owned rivaling newspapers—both raced to publish the first American magazine.

Did they have magazines in the 1800s?

In the mid-1800s, monthly magazines gained popularity. They were general interest to begin, containing some news, vignettes, poems, history, political events, and social discussion. Unlike newspapers, they were more of a monthly record of current events along with entertaining stories, poems, and pictures.