Unforgettable Headlines from Notícias Populares
A newspaper that left a mark with unusual front pages
Notícias Populares (1963-10-15)Folha de S.Paulo
In 1963, Notícias Populares arrived on Brazilian newsstands, an unforgettable newspaper filled with sensationalism and focusing on an editorial line that included nudity, scatology, violence, and even supernatural events to win over social classes C and D.
Notícias Populares (1968-07-27)Folha de S.Paulo
Criticized within the journalistic milieu, Notícias Populares bore a controversial slogan: “Nothing but the truth.”
From the first half of the 1960s until the early 2000s, NP shocked Brazilian society in various ways, with unforgettable front pages and headlines. You can learn about them and recall them in this showcase.
Notícias Populares (1967-11-02)Folha de S.Paulo
Issues related to society’s customs always made headlines in Notícias Populares. In 1967, the publication highlighted the current fashion trend: men wearing skirts.
The article stated that the attire was being worn “from North to South,” commented on a fashion show that was to be held in Recife, and highlighted a model who paraded through the streets of São Paulo wearing the accessory.
Notícias Populares (1968-12-06)Folha de S.Paulo
A precursor to the militias in Brazil, the Death Squad was a phenomenon formed by paramilitary groups originating in Rio de Janeiro that spread throughout the country in the second half of the 20th century.
Notícias Populares reported in 1968 on a new “List” of future targets for the assassins. It highlighted the criminal “Saponga,” a nickname for Carlos Eduardo Silva, who was responsible for the murder of the investigator David Romero Paré.
Notícias Populares (1969-09-18)Folha de S.Paulo
Supernatural phenomena, monsters, and superhuman creatures were a constant presence in Notícias Populares. In September 1969, the newspaper announced an astonishing monster that was supposedly born with the head of an elephant and the body of a pig.
Notícias Populares (1974-05-31)Folha de S.Paulo
It reported on urban legends and folkloric beings that tormented various parts of Brazil. In the 1970s, a supposed werewolf from Pernambuco was hunted by the police, complete with a sketch on the cover.
Notícias Populares (1975-06-03)Folha de S.Paulo
Satanism was a recurring topic in Notícias Populares, especially in the 1970s. In 1975, the newspaper reported on the high number of Satan’s followers in São Paulo, which had already reached 50,000, according to the publication. The main photo was of the supposed “Pope of Black Magic.”
Notícias Populares (1975-05-11)Folha de S.Paulo
In May 1975, one of the publication’s most memorable sagas began: the devil-baby. According to Notícias Populares, a child had been born in São Bernardo do Campo (São Paulo) with a tail, a horn, and the ability to speak.
The story led to more than 20 articles, and the newspaper sold over 150,000 copies during that period.
Notícias Populares (1975-05-18)Folha de S.Paulo
The saga of the devil-baby underwent several developments, including its disappearance from the maternity ward, attempts at hunting and exorcism, and even its admission to a clinic in São Bernardo, where the public could visit it.
One of the last headlines about the creature announced its abduction by a group of religious fanatics, who supposedly took it to the Northeast.
Notícias Populares (1977-01-21)Folha de S.Paulo
A new superpowered being wreaked havoc in Brazil in 1977: Suraim dos Reis, the alleged “Invisible Thief,” committed robberies in four Brazilian states and earned the nickname because he was never seen by the victims or possible witnesses.
According to the January 21 edition, the criminal was arrested at his lover’s house.
Notícias Populares (1978-09-28)Folha de S.Paulo
In 1978, the newspaper reported the story of the murder of an alleged witch, out of revenge.
The article provided details about the crime (“tied up before death and dragged to the grave”), the victim’s deeds (“healed the poor and charged nothing”), and her personality (“she detested sadness”).
Notícias Populares (1989-12-25)Folha de S.Paulo
During the last Christmas of the 1980s, drugs were once again on the front page of Notícias Populares. According to the headline, a marijuana plant was used as a Christmas tree in the home of an alleged addict.
Notícias Populares (1984-06-03)Folha de S.Paulo
The transgender model and actress Roberta Close graced the covers of several editions of Notícias Populares in the 1980s. Public curiosity about transgenderism put the artist on the front page of the newspaper under various headlines, including “Roberta Close: A sin with 2 sexes” and “Roberta Close swears: I never slept with Erasmo Carlos.”
Notícias Populares (1992-10-05)Folha de S.Paulo
Two days after the massacre at the São Paulo Penitentiary, popularly known as Carandiru, Notícias Populares dedicated its entire front page to the event. In addition to information about the massacre, the newspaper published a photo of the bodies of several prisoners.
Notícias Populares (1995-08-12)Folha de S.Paulo
A newspaper with so much news about supernatural beings couldn’t do without headlines about flying saucers. In 1995, Notícias Populares denounced the alleged construction of a “UFO port” for extraterrestrial ships, a project already approved by councilors.
Notícias Populares (1997-04-11)Folha de S.Paulo
A housewife from Pará starred in another of its unusual front pages: according to the report, she had allegedly swallowed seven knives during a meal and went to the hospital complaining of pain. In an ironic tone, the newspaper added: “for dessert she had a tire, a cloth, and plastic bags.”
Notícias Populares (2001-01-20)Folha de S.Paulo
The last edition of Notícias Populares was published on January 20, 2001. The newspaper included a letter to readers justifying the end of the publication due to the decline in its sales, because of the free availability of journalism on TV, and deemed its own content outdated. NP’s end came in its 38th year of circulation and edition number 13,413.
Notícias Populares (1996-10-22)Folha de S.Paulo
In 2023, the series Notícias Populares premiered on Canal Brasil, with a storyline based on the history of NP starring Luciana Paes, Ary França, and Ana Flavia Cavalcanti. With seven 50-minute episodes, the production is set in the 1990s and recalls historic reports like the devil-baby and the clown gang.
Copyright Folhapress. All rights reserved. Commercial use and/or reproduction of this photo or any part thereof without express authorization and licensing from Folhapress is prohibited. To license this content, please contact pesquisa@folhapress.com.br.
