Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2019 May 10

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May 10

Date-time group format history

Where can I learn about the history behind the "ddhhmmZ MON yy" date-time group (DTG) format used in US military communications, particularly, when it was first adopted by the US military, what discussions surrounded its formation, and when it was adopted by other organizations? -- 173.72.217.187 (talk) 091804Z MAY 19

Why Sun?

Resolved

 – 19:21, 10 May 2019 (UTC)

Why is "Sun" commonly part of newspapers' name? —107.15.157.44 (talk) 18:42, 10 May 2019 (UTC)

To reinforce the idea that the newspaper shines a bright light on everything. Though I would have said "sometimes" rather than "commonly," as I can think of ten times more names that don't contain sun. For instance, the largest newspapers in the USA are the New York TIMES, the Washington POST, the Los Angeles TIMES, and the Chicago HERALD-TRIBUNE. The newspapers whose names are the most fun are the New Orleans Times-Picayune and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. ubiquity (talk)

Chicago's major papers are the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago SUN-TIMES. Rmhermen (talk) 03:02, 14 May 2019 (UTC)

(edit conflict) The earliest newspaper I can find with that name is The Sun (1792–1806). One thing to note is that terms like "light" and "daylight" and "sunshine" are often used as a metaphor for uncovering secrets, especially with regard to less-than-above-board dealings of the powerful people. See for example, here, or for making things more understandable, see here. Since things like investigative journalism is a major purpose of the press (and why the press is called the Fourth Estate of a democratic society). It seems clear that playing on the "light" metaphor explains newspaper titles like "Sun" and "Star" and "Beacon" and the like. --Jayron32 19:06, 10 May 2019 (UTC)

Thanks, folks. Seems obvious now; "illuminating the truth" and all that. I was overthinking it: maybe they were originally Sunday-only, or delivered early morning "with the sun", or something.<insert appropriate emoji here> —107.15.157.44 (talk) 19:21, 10 May 2019 (UTC)

I do think it works several ways. I've sensed the morning aspect too (sun as herald of the morning, herald being another popular newspaper name, and there are Morning Heralds too). One Hartford Courant writer grouped the Suns in yet another way: "Others are named for cosmic natural phenomena: Sun, Star, World, Globe, Day."[1] Sun seems to work well.

But echoing what Jayron wrote: The Baltimore Sun has the motto "Light for All" in its logo. ---Sluzzelin talk 23:21, 10 May 2019 (UTC)

On the other hand, the "morning" thing is correct, mutatis mutandis, for at least one paper named the Star. The Toronto Star used to be an evening paper and was originally named The Evening Star. (It may be added that the fictional Daily Planet is indirectly named after this paper.) --76.69.46.228 (talk) 02:29, 11 May 2019 (UTC)

Hmmm... I wonder if there are any exceptions for Sun being associated with morning papers and likewise for Star and evening papers. —[OP]:2606:A000:1126:28D:755E:2218:CF7B:AA1E (talk) 07:37, 11 May 2019 (UTC)

Although the Daily Star in the UK is a morning newspaper. Coincidentally (in respect of this question), it was launched as a competitor to The Sun, although somewhat downmarket, a feat previously believed to be impossible. Alansplodge (talk) 16:42, 11 May 2019 (UTC)

In Malaysia The Star (Malaysia) has always been a morning paper AFAIK Nil Einne (talk) 01:22, 12 May 2019 (UTC)

I guess this topic has reached ratiocination terminus. The Sun/Star morning/evening edition thing is not generally applicable. Thanks for the interesting replies. —[OP]:2606:A000:1126:28D:B57F:6BAE:CEA6:C491 (talk) 20:06, 12 May 2019 (UTC)