The Archives

1955

Cartoonist Walt Kelly—“creator of Pogo and all the other denizens of the Okefenokee Swamp, the famous and greatly loved comic strip characters who disport themselves in Christmas gaiety on Newsweek’s cover”—turned lyricist for Newsweek, unveiling the words to a brand-new carol, “Bright Christmas Land,” in the magazine along with his Christmas-themed cover art. Last year, Ohio State University’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum opened an exhibit featuring Kelly: “Into the Swamp: The Social and Political Satire of Walt Kelly’s Pogo.”

1990

“The oppressed have no monopoly on truth. But surely they have earned the right to critique the society that enslaved them,” Newsweek said of “politically correct” campus policies. Recently a Florida judge, partially blocked a law limiting the discussion of racism and sexism on campus for violating the First Amendment.

2017

Russia “is readying to fight an epic war for survival. At least that’s what Vladimir Putin wants his countrymen to think,” Newsweek said of Russian propaganda. Recently, Moscow shifted its disinformation offensive in Ukraine; in October, Putin repeatedly yet falsely accused Ukraine of plotting a dirty bomb attack in Russia.