The World Almanac is an American reference work and publication that provides a comprehensive collection of facts, statistics, and general information. It has a long history and has undergone several name changes since its inception. The World Almanac was first published by the New York World newspaper in 1868. It was the brainchild of newspaper editor Charles Dana. Initially titled “The World Almanac and Encyclopedia,” the early editions focused on providing information on various topics, including politics, economics, and world events.