The New York Times discontinued its longtime practice of publishing a detailed index of the day's stories on the “second front” — the first page of the paper’s second section — four decades ago. The final edition of this index appeared on October 4, 1986, ending a nearly three-decade tradition that began in 1959.

This indexing system served as a guide to readers, helping them navigate the often complex layout of the newspaper. However, assembling the index proved challenging for staff, as articles frequently shifted or were replaced close to publication deadlines. Despite the difficulty, the index was a critical reference tool for readers, though the work behind it rarely received recognition.

A nostalgic reflection on this practice emerged recently when Ellen Fishman, a retired lawyer, shared her personal story connected to the era when the index was still published. Fishman recalled turning 18 in 1971, just as the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. Faced with a tight registration deadline in New York and unable to reach the Brooklyn Board of Elections by phone, she relied on The New York Times’ coverage seen in her family’s home-delivered copy.

Fishman noted that while she found the index listing for the registration deadline article, the story did not actually appear on the referenced page or anywhere else in that edition. She contacted the Metro section of the paper and eventually spoke with the article’s author, who was surprised by the omission but still provided her with the necessary registration information. Fishman expressed lasting gratitude for the journalist’s assistance, crediting that moment for enabling her to vote in that election.

Adam Liptak, a host of the Dotcheck newsletter, shared Fishman’s recollection and added his own connection to the index from his early days at the paper as a copy boy in the 1980s when he helped assemble the “second front.” He consulted David Dunlap, a retired reporter and unofficial historian for The Times, who confirmed the index’s termination four decades ago and provided archival images of its first and last editions.

The discontinuation of the index reflected broader changes in newspaper production and reader habits as the industry evolved. While its absence may have made the paper less navigable to some, the archival story remains a testament to a bygone era of print journalism and the dedication of the staff who worked behind the scenes to connect readers with the news.