How Missouri Became Home to America’s Military Newspaper

Members of the American military (and their families) for generations have been familiar with “Stars and Stripes”, the daily American military newspaper that has been in distribution since 1861, during the Civil War. The publication began in Bloomfield, Missouri, when a Union regiment happened upon the abandoned local newspaper offices, and began to distribute news of the war to the soldiers. Today, Bloomfield, Mo. is also where the “Stars and Stripes” museum has properly planted its flag.

Stars and Stripes museum Bloomfield, Missouri

The museum collects, displays, and highlights material connected to the historical perspective of conflict- and peace time news that has flowed through the pages of America’s only military newspaper. Want to know what news the troops were reading on the front in World War I? World War II? It’s all in the archives.

Find out about some of the writers and photographers that collected all of the quotes, stories and images published within the pages of "The Stars and Stripes” over the years. Like many newspapers in the 21^st century, “Stars and Stripes” has gone digital, but still provides news and information on military issues that civilian newspapers almost never cover, plus the perspective of the United States military forces on a wide range of topics. Begun in Missouri, and still celebrated today, the “Stars and Stripes” museum is a worthwhile visit for any American veteran or their family members.