On Thursday, August 4, 1960, the first official edition of the Navajo Times newspaper was published. That first tabloid-sized issue cost 10 cents and the late Paul Jones served as the Chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council.

The banner story in that issue was headlined, “Interior Department Final Approval Next.” It was an article about how the Navajo Tribal Council had just approved the construction of a multi-million dollar steam-electric power plant near Fruitland, N.M. that would be called the Four Corners Power Plant.

Another front-page article, “Spending Allotted By Tribal Council,” detailed the approval by the Navajo Tribal Council of the Fiscal Year 1961 Budget. Included in that budget was a resolution that established the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority Enterprise.

So as you can see, there was much history being made back in 1960 and the Navajo Times was there to record and publicize it. Fast-forward to today and you can imagine the incredible amount of Navajo history that has been documented over the years in the pages of the Navajo Times newspaper.

Last Tuesday, August 4, 2015, marked the 55th Anniversary of the first edition of the Navajo Times newspaper. Happy Birthday Navajo Times! And, congratulations Navajo Nation and thank you, Navajo people!