A newsboy was a young person, usually a boy, who sold newspapers on city streets in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Picture busy corners in cities like New York or Chicago, where kids as young as six or seven would stand with stacks of papers under their arms, calling out dramatic headlines to catch people's attention: “Extra! Extra! Read all about it!”

Newsboys bought papers from publishers early each morning and kept whatever profit they made from selling them. This meant they had to work hard to sell every copy, sometimes competing with other newsboys for the best corner spots. Many newsboys came from poor families and needed the income to help pay for food and rent. They worked in all weather: rain, snow, or summer heat.

The job required more than just standing around. Successful newsboys learned which headlines would grab attention, how to speak persuasively to strangers, and how to manage their money carefully. Some became quite skilled at it.

While the job of street newsboy has mostly disappeared (thanks to the internet and home delivery), the image of the newsboy remains vivid in American history. You might see newsboys portrayed in old photographs, movies, or musicals, often wearing caps and knickerbockers, shouting about the day's big stories.