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America’s peak socialism — abandoned a century ago

The emergence of the Democratic Socialists of America and their political victories, from New York City across the fruited plains of Michigan and Wisconsin, all the way to Colorado, strikes many as a new thing in U.S. politics. Previous movements have, in fact, increased, sometimes ...

Report: Trump’s DC arch could harm integrity of other historical sites

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot-tall memorial arch could disrupt the historical significance of dozens of sites near its planned location, according to an assessment by the National Park Service. Many of Washington’s monuments, buildings and sites have been ...

Almanac for Aug. 5, 2026

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 5, the 217th day of 2026. There are 148 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1962, South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was arrested on charges of leaving the country without a valid passport and inciting workers to strike; it was the beginning of 27 years of imprisonment. Also on this date: In 1861, Abraham Lincoln signed the Revenue Act of 1861, which levied the first income tax on Americans (a flat tax of 3% on those making over $800/year) to help fund the Union’s Civil War effort. In 1864, during the Civil War, Union Adm. David ...

Trump was never funny

In a display of Stockholm Syndrome, the White House Correspondents’ Association invited Donald Trump to be the keynote speaker at their annual festival of self-appreciation. Because he is who he is, he did not take the opportunity to do the kind of gentle press ribbing that past presidents ...

GOP holdouts to back Blanche’s AG nomination after deal struck

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Republican senators who threatened to block acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation to lead the Justice Department said Monday they will support his nomination, ending an impasse over plans to create a fund to compensate allies of President Donald ...

Almanac for Aug. 4, 2026

Today is Tuesday, Aug. 4, the 216th day of 2026. There are 149 days left in the year. Today in history: In 2020, nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been improperly stored for years in the port of Beirut, Lebanon, exploded, killing more than 200 people, injuring more than 7,000 and devastating nearby neighborhoods; it was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded. Also on this date: In 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard had its beginnings as President George Washington signed a measure authorizing a group of revenue cutters to enforce tariff and trade laws and ...