TODAY The Argus is 140 years old.

The newspaper, the only daily title in Sussex, was printed for the first time on March 30, 1880.

Since then we have reported on all kinds of different events through history. There have been wars, floods, cup finals, murders, royal babies and much more.

And of course now we continue to bring you up to the minute coverage of the coronavirus on our website and comprehensive coverage in our cherished printed newspaper every day.

We have had different offices in the city. Many will still remember North Road, pictured, as well as our base in Hollingbury, where we were before moving back into the city centre a little over three years ago.

The paper is named after the all-seeing ancient Greek mythical giant with 100 eyes.

In the first issue, the editor set out the paper’s goals in an editorial.

Back then we said the paper would be for “men of business and for busy men”.

It continued that the paper would be “bright, interesting and pithy” with the “occasional, admixture of a lighter element in the form of short, complete and stirring tales”.

Much has happened in the last 140 years and we continue to bring everyone the latest news and sport.

Argus editor Arron Hendy said: “It is an honour for myself and the rest of the fantastic team here to continue being the eyes and the ears of the city and the rest of Sussex.

“You can rest assured that while you are all leading busy lives we are at the courts, looking at council papers and holding other organisations to account on your behalf.

“The role of The Argus has never been so important.

“With the information overload available on the internet it is crucial that you have trained journalists checking facts and details and making sure you understand what can be relied upon as fact, and what is clearly opinion.”

“This crucial role has hardly been more evident amid the coronavirus pandemic, where more and more readers have been coming to us as a central point where we provide news from multiple sources, be they local and central government, the police, and most importantly yourselves.

“I want to thank you, our readers, for sticking with us and continuing to contact us on a daily basis.

“I must also mention The Argus appeal, the newspaper’s charity. It is still handing out money after Elsa Gillio, who ran it, passed on management to the Sussex Community Foundation after it was recognised by the Queen with an award, following a fantastic 60 years.

“We always want to hear all your stories and opinions and will continue to challenge the authorities where needed and to bring you the latest useful news.

“We will also continue with our fantastic sport coverage, particularly the rollercoaster ride which is Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League, long may that last when football resumes.

“We were planning a supplement and a celebration, but have decided to delay those with the current pandemic taking over our lives. But we will get back to normal by sticking together. It will be even more important to celebrate when we can. So with that in mind we will be looking back with people whose marriages, births and civil partnerships were celebrated in The Argus.”

Were you one of them? Please email Samuel.brooke@theargus.co.uk if you were. We would love to hear back from you so we can look back together.”

In the meantime, today, and over the next two weeks, we will bring you front pages and other flashbacks from The Argus down the years.

Some of Brighton and Hove’s councillors were among those who kindly sent in happy birthday messages.

Councillor Robert Nemeth said: “So many local issues good and bad would remain unaddressed if wasn’t for The Argus searching them out and putting them to the public.

“The paper is a huge force for good in our area. A very happy birthday indeed!”

Councillor Steve Bell said: “In unprecedented times, it is great to be able to join many others in wishing The Argus a Happy 140th Birthday. The Argus has always concentrated on local people throughout many of this country’s troubles by keeping us all so well informed.

“It is an outstanding achievement to still have a local daily paper in modern times and this proves the value local people have in this great paper. Well done and many congratulations to all who have been a part of this magnificent journey and I raise a virtual glass to you all in celebration of 140 years, cheers!”

Councillor Dawn Barnett said: “I bought my first paper when I was seven when we moved to Brighton and I’m coming on 79 now.

“I love The Argus, I get it at ten to seven every morning and read every page first thing with a coffee.

“I don’t know what I would do without it.”

READERS of newspapers can be assured that picking up their favourite paper puts them at no real risk of contracting coronavirus, the Society of Editors has said.

In a news bulletin, the society said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods was low and therefore the risk of contracting Covid-19 through receipt of a newspaper was infinitely small.

The society also referred to an interview on BBC Radio Scotland with Professor George Lomonossoff, a virologist, who said newspapers were quite “sterile” due to the way they were printed and the process they had been through to be produced.

In other countries with high levels of coronavirus outbreaks, newspapers remain a part of daily life, the society said.

Many people are helping the vulnerable and elderly to remain safe by being isolated, taking them food and drink.

If you can, take them a copy of The Argus too so they feel less isolated by keeping informed on all the updates and latest news and sport.

They can even arrange to have the newspaper delivered free by calling 0800 731 4900.