William Randolph Hearst, born on April 29, 1863, built the largest newspaper chain in America. By the early 1900s, he owned more than 30 newspapers across the country. Hearst understood that people did not just want facts. They wanted stories that made them feel something. He used huge sensational headlines to grab attention. His papers featured dramatic stories, bold illustrations, and shocking details. Sometimes these stories were mostly true. Other times, the facts were exaggerated to make the story more exciting. This style of reporting became known as "yellow journalism." Hearst's biggest rival was Joseph Pulitzer. They ran the New York World. The two men competed fiercely to sell the most papers. Their competition pushed both papers toward more and more dramatic stories. During the 1890s, Hearst's newspapers ran alarming stories about Spain's treatment of people in Cuba. Many historians believe these stories helped push the United States into the Spanish-American War of 1898. The phrase "You furnish the pictures, I'll furnish the war" is often attributed to Hearst. Historians debate whether he actually said it. His career raises an important question. When the person telling the story decides what is news, how much power does that give them?