This Day in Henrico History: Sept. 20 – Henrico Citizen publishes its first issue

On Sept. 20, 2001, the Henrico Citizen published its inaugural print edition.

Its lead headline — "New North Park Library Dedicated" — established the local focus that has defined the publication in the quarter-century since.

The Citizen was founded by University of Richmond journalism graduate Tom Lappas as a hometown news source devoted specifically to Henrico County.

The first edition appeared just nine days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, launching a new local newspaper at an extraordinary moment in American history.

Twenty years later, the Virginia General Assembly formally commended the Citizen and specifically noted the Sept. 20, 2001 inaugural edition and its lead story as evidence of the publication's emphasis on Henrico community news.

Sources: Virginia General Assembly House Joint Resolution 209; University of Richmond.