In which year was the Pulitzer Prize first established as a major journalism and literary award?

Introduction / Context:
The Pulitzer Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in journalism, literature, and musical composition, particularly in the United States. Many general knowledge and competitive exams ask about its origin and establishment year. This question focuses on identifying the year when the Pulitzer Prize was first instituted.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is the establishment of the Pulitzer Prize.
• Four potential years are provided: 1762, 1883, 1917, and 1965.
• The correct year should correspond to the first set of awards.

Concept / Approach:
The Pulitzer Prizes were established following the will of Joseph Pulitzer, a newspaper publisher. The Columbia University School of Journalism administers the awards. Although Joseph Pulitzer lived in the nineteenth century, the first prizes were awarded in 1917. By connecting the timeline of his life with the creation of the journalism school and the prize, you can identify the correct year.

Step by Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that 1762 is far too early and predates Joseph Pulitzer life, so it is unlikely. Step 2: Recognise that 1883 lies within the lifetime of Joseph Pulitzer but before the awards were actually created. Step 3: Remember that the Pulitzer Prizes were first awarded in 1917, with categories in journalism and letters. Step 4: Observe that 1965 is too late and comes long after the prizes had already gained international recognition. Step 5: Therefore, 1917 stands out as the correct year of establishment.

Verification / Alternative check:
Any short history of the Pulitzer Prize mentions that the first awards were given in 1917, reflecting Joseph Pulitzer bequest to Columbia University. The journalism school and prize system took time to develop after his death, which explains the gap between his career and the award start date. No credible source lists 1762, 1883, or 1965 as the founding year of the prize system.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1762: This year is much earlier than the lifetime of Joseph Pulitzer and cannot be associated with the prize named after him.
1883: Although Joseph Pulitzer was active during this period, the prize system was not yet instituted and the first awards did not occur then.
1965: By this time, the Pulitzer Prize was already a mature institution; 1965 is not an establishment year but part of its ongoing history.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse the year Pulitzer began his newspaper career with the year the prize was created. Others assume a more recent date like 1965 because they only learned about the prize in modern contexts. It helps to fix the year 1917 in memory by associating it with the First World War era and the rise of modern professional journalism.

Final Answer:
The Pulitzer Prize was established and first awarded in 1917.