Anne Frank’s Family Failed in 1941 Bid to Flee to U.S.

Staff / Truthdig Feb 15, 2007 Newly released documents show that Anne Frank's father attempted to move the family to the United States, but he was not granted a visa. Otto Frank was granted a Cuban visa, but the order was canceled after Germany declared war on the U.S. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Harvard Chooses First Woman President

Staff / Truthdig Feb 10, 2007 A year after its president was forced to resign because of a controversial remark about gender, Harvard University is about to appoint its first woman president. The promotion of Drew Gilpin Faust, a historian, will end a 371-year-long drought of female leadership at one of the nation's oldest institutions. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

From the People Who Brought You Stonehenge

Staff / Truthdig Jan 31, 2007 Archeologists have discovered a huge ancient settlement that was used by the people who made Stonehenge. The complex, near the iconic rock pile, may have once contained as many as 100 houses. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

It Only Took 218 Years

Staff / Truthdig Jan 6, 2007 Nancy Pelosi's new job as the first woman speaker of the House has been something of a footnote to the Democrats' success in the midterm elections, but her truly historic ascension has inspired women and men alike -- even Republicans. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, took his four daughters to the swearing-in: "It's a good role model for all women, and my daughters can see that they can get to the highest levels of government." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bill Moyers’ Parable

Staff / Truthdig Dec 24, 2006 The former minister, press secretary and veteran journalist works his way through Christian allegory and lessons from our nation's history in fashioning this powerful essay on the American experience and the stewardship of democracy. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Jabari Asim: Invisible Men

Jabari Asim / Truthdig Dec 19, 2006 Despite their courage and achievements in the Revolutionary War, blacks usually went unnoticed. Now, finally, one such man receives some recognition. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

A Brief History of Human Sex

Staff / Truthdig Jul 28, 2006 To get an idea of how we humans might act if unfettered by cultural restraints, we could look at bonobo chimpanzees, which engage in frequent sexual acts "a fairly quick, perfunctory and relaxed activity that functions as a social cement," according to an expert . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

An Illustrated History of the Bikini

Staff / Truthdig Jul 10, 2006 Sure, the FCC may be cracking down on indecency, but if you want to see how far society has come in that department, check out this Victorian-era "bathing machine," a hut on wheels that protected bathers from public scrutiny until they were far enough from shore to avoid being observed. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Gov. Corzine Orders New Jersey Government Shut Down

Staff / Truthdig Jul 2, 2006 A first in the state's history, the executive order halted road construction and lottery ticket sales, and put over half the state's 80,000 employees on furlough. Gov. Jon S. Corzine ordered the shutdown after legislators missed a June 30 budget deadline due to disagreements over a measure to raise the sales tax to close a budget gap. Depending on a court ruling, the state's 12 casinos may also have to shut their doors. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Read About ‘The Worst President in History’

Staff / Truthdig Apr 21, 2006 The Rolling Stone article that everyone has been waiting for is out. Read it in full here. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Examining the Death Penalty

Staff / Truthdig Dec 14, 2005 On Dec. 2 Kenneth Boyd was executed by the state of North Carolina, becoming the 1,000th person to be executed since the 1976 Supreme Court ruling Gregg v. Georgia reinstated capital punishment in the United States. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )