Understanding the “Atlanta Constitution”: What It Is and Why It Still Matters in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting and you hear someone mention the “Atlanta Constitution,” they’re almost always talking about the city’s historic newspaper that helped shape public life in Atlanta for more than a century.

Today, that paper no longer exists under that exact name, but its legacy continues in the modern Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the city’s major daily newspaper. Knowing this history can help you better understand Atlanta’s media, local culture, and where to turn for reliable information about what’s happening around town.

What Was the Atlanta Constitution?

The Atlanta Constitution was a daily newspaper published in Atlanta from the 19th century through much of the 20th century. It became one of the South’s most influential papers and covered:

• Local Atlanta news and politics
• State government and regional issues
• National and international news from a Southern perspective
• Business, sports, and culture in and around Atlanta

For generations of Atlantans, the “Constitution” was the morning paper on the doorstep. It played a major role in how people understood life in the city—everything from city hall decisions and civil rights struggles to school openings, traffic changes, and Braves scores.

How It Fits Into Today’s Atlanta Media

If you’re trying to track down the Atlanta Constitution today:

• As a standalone newspaper, it no longer publishes.
• Its history lives on in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), which is now the primary daily newspaper serving metro Atlanta.
• Many older Atlantans and longtime residents still casually say “the Constitution” or “the Journal” when they mean the AJC.

So if a neighbor mentions an article “in the Constitution,” they almost certainly mean the AJC or are referring to an older issue from before the merger.

From “Atlanta Constitution” to “Atlanta Journal-Constitution”

To understand what you’re reading today, it helps to know how the names evolved.

The Two Major Papers: Journal vs. Constitution

For many years, Atlanta had two big competing daily papers:

• The Atlanta Constitution – historically the morning paper
• The Atlanta Journal – historically the afternoon/evening paper

They had different editorial styles and sometimes different viewpoints, and many families in Atlanta subscribed to one or the other (or both).

The Merger That Created the AJC

Over time, as newspaper reading habits changed and afternoon papers became less common, the two papers merged into what Atlantans know now as the:

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC)

Today, when you see “Atlanta Journal-Constitution” or hear someone reference “the paper” in Atlanta, this is the direct descendant of the Atlanta Constitution you’re asking about.

Where to Access Old “Atlanta Constitution” Issues in Atlanta

If you’re researching family history, local events, or Atlanta’s past, you might want to see original Atlanta Constitution newspapers. In the city, there are a few key places to start.

1. Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System (Central Library)

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library – Central Library
1 Margaret Mitchell Square NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 730-1700

The Central Library in Downtown Atlanta is often the most accessible option for many residents. It may offer:

• Microfilm archives of older Atlanta newspapers
• Digital access terminals with newspaper databases
• Help from librarians in tracking down specific dates or topics

Tip: 📌 Call ahead to ask specifically about “Atlanta Constitution” archives, since resources and access methods can vary.

2. Georgia State University Library

Georgia State University Library – Atlanta Campus
100 Decatur St SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main phone: (404) 413-2800

GSU’s library system maintains a strong collection of Atlanta-focused materials. For the Atlanta Constitution, you may find:

• Microfilm or digital copies of historic newspapers
• Special collections related to Atlanta history and journalism
• On-site research support for visitors who need help navigating archives

Policies on public access can change, so it’s smart to check ahead about visitor access, hours, and what you’ll need to bring (such as photo ID).

3. Emory University Libraries

Robert W. Woodruff Library (Emory University)
540 Asbury Circle
Atlanta, GA 30322
Main phone: (404) 727-6861

Emory’s libraries often hold extensive historical collections, including:

• Historical Georgia newspapers
• Special collections and archives useful for deeper research
• Reading rooms where you can review archived materials

If you’re doing serious academic or historical work on the Atlanta Constitution, this can be an especially useful stop.

Quick Reference: Where to Start if You’re Looking for the “Atlanta Constitution” in Atlanta

How the Atlanta Constitution Shaped Atlanta Life

If you’re trying to understand Atlanta’s culture and public debates, knowing the role of the Atlanta Constitution helps explain a lot about how the city developed.

Coverage of Local Government and Politics

As the city grew, the Constitution:

• Covered Atlanta City Hall, Fulton County government, and Georgia’s state legislature
• Informed residents about zoning changes, transportation plans, and school issues
• Provided a space for editorials and opinion pieces shaping public discussion

For people living in Atlanta, that meant the paper strongly influenced how everyday city issues were viewed, from MARTA debates to local bond measures.

Civil Rights and Social Change

Like many Southern newspapers, the Constitution’s coverage of civil rights evolved over time. For someone studying Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights Movement, looking at:

• News articles,
• Editorials, and
• Letters to the editor

in the Atlanta Constitution can offer insight into how events were framed and discussed in the city.

Today, researchers and residents looking back at that coverage often use it to understand how public sentiment shifted and how leaders in Atlanta responded.

If You Just Want Daily Atlanta News Today

If your interest in “Atlanta Constitution” is mainly about keeping up with what’s happening in Atlanta right now, you’re really looking for the services provided by its modern successor: the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In and around Atlanta, people commonly rely on:

• The AJC for citywide news, big investigations, sports, and politics
• Local TV stations for breaking news and weather
• Neighborhood-focused outlets and community papers for hyperlocal details

While the AJC’s name is longer, many locals still shorten it in conversation or mix in the old names out of habit.

Practical Tips for Using “Atlanta Constitution” Resources as an Atlantan

Whether you’re a long-time resident, a newcomer, or a visitor doing research, here’s how to make the most of the Atlanta Constitution’s legacy locally:

1. Be Clear About Dates and Names

When talking to librarians or archivists in Atlanta, say:

• The date range you’re interested in (for example, “around May 1935”)
• The name you want searched (Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta Journal, or AJC)

This helps staff direct you to the correct reel, database, or collection, since the name changed over time.

2. Use Local Help

In Atlanta, staff at:

• The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library
• Georgia State University Library
• Emory University Libraries

are generally familiar with people researching old Atlanta newspapers. Let them know you’re specifically looking for the Atlanta Constitution, and they can often explain:

• Where the archives are stored
• Whether they’re on microfilm, digital, or in special collections
• Any rules for copying, scanning, or photographing content

3. Plan for Parking and Transit

If you’re visiting these locations:

• Downtown (Central Library, GSU) – MARTA rail and bus service is usually the most convenient if you want to avoid parking costs.
• Emory area – MARTA buses and Emory shuttles serve the campus, but many people still drive and park nearby. Check on parking options before you go.

What “Atlanta Constitution” Means for You Today

When you see or hear “Atlanta Constitution” in the context of Atlanta, Georgia today, it usually means one of three things:

1. A historical reference to the original daily newspaper that shaped much of Atlanta’s public life.
2. A research target, especially if you’re digging into older news stories, family history, or Atlanta’s political and social changes.
3. A casual shorthand some locals still use when they really mean the modern Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are studying the city, understanding this name helps you:

• Find the right newspaper if you’re reading current news
• Locate the correct archives if you’re researching Atlanta’s past
• Make sense of how longtime residents talk about “the paper”

The Atlanta Constitution as a standalone paper may be gone, but its role in building Atlanta’s identity—and its continuation in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution—still shapes how the city sees itself today.