The Daily Bee published its first issue on February 3, 1857, founded by four printers. James McClatchy succeeded its first editor that year, became co-owner in 1866 and majority owner in 1872.
The Bee became the flagship of the McClatchy Company, which bought Knight Ridder in 2006 and went through bankruptcy in 2020. Its Scoopy Bee mascot was created by Walt Disney in 1943.