A handbag with a United States flag coloring

The Power of the Purse

The first time a president withheld funds for something approved by Congress, it led to the Impoundment Control Act. We’ll soon find out if that law has teeth.
American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Agreement with Great Britain (unfinished oil sketch) by Benjamin West, between 1783 and 1784

The Treaty of Paris 1783: Annotated

The Treaty of Paris marked the end of the Revolutionary War and the hostilities between Great Britain and the newly independent United States—at least temporarily.
Human base on a new planet, aerial view

Astronomers Have Warned against Colonial Practices in the Space Industry

A philosopher of science explains how the industry could explore other planets without exploiting them.
An undated Bay Area poster by a “punk with copymachine,” offering up free copies (BYO paper).

Xerox and Roll: The Corporate Machine and the Making of Punk

On the 85th anniversary of the first xerographic print, a collection of punk flyers from Cornell University provides an object lesson on (anti-)art in the age of mechanical reproduction.
From left to right: Jeff Bezos, Jeremy Strong, Rupert Murdoch, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk

The Media’s Bottom-Line Problem

The health of our democracy depends on a free press. What happens when the thirst for profits, eyeballs, and clicks drives political coverage?
From the cover of Paahao Press, Summer 1960

A Century of History in Five Hawaiian Prison Newspapers

Hawaiian language and culture are emphasized throughout, ranging from before statehood and during martial law to modern day women's prisons.
Richard Nixon photoshopped to be wearing a "Pardon Me! Gerald..." button.

The Pardon of President Nixon: Annotated

President Ford’s unconditional pardon of Richard Nixon created political controversy. It also tarnished Ford’s own reputation with the American public.
The figure on the left represents Roger Tichborne as he appears in a photograph in 1854. The figure on the right represents Tichborne as he appeared at the trial.

Body Double

Long before the imposture of Anna Delvey, the Tichborne Claimaint swept a nation’s imagination.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1977 ©Lynn Gilbert

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Radical Project Isn’t Finished

A fiery advocate against gender discrimination, Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s radicalism reveals itself in her argument for the Equal Rights Amendment.
Omega Nebula (M17)

The Bold Future of the Outer Space Treaty

With President Trump calling for a “Space Force” and private enterprise increasingly invested in space, what of the dream of international peace?