Postimees newspaper founded by Johann Voldemar Jannsen in Tartu

Background. Jannsen sought to publish an Estonian-language newspaper to educate the poor in their native language, facing initial licensing refusals. In 1857 he began working with Borm, and he also began producing the Perno Postimees, becoming the first journalist to publish in Estonian. This early work laid the foundation for the national Postimees, which later became the first daily newspaper in Estonia in 1891.

Establishment. The newspaper was established on 5 June 1857 as Perno Postimees in Pärnu. Jannsen's efforts to publish in Estonian were driven by a desire to educate the poor. The publication evolved into the national Postimees, playing an important role in Estonians' educational and cultural development, eventually becoming the first daily newspaper in Estonia in 1891.

Tartu Context. Jannsen moved to Tartu in 1863, rebranding the Perno Postimees as Eesti Postimees. Tartu served as a cultural centre for Estonians during the era of Romantic nationalism. Jannsen helped found elements of the Estonian national awakening in Tartu, including the Vanemuine theatre group in 1865 and the Estonian Song Festival in 1869.