From the Nominator

"The 1971 U.S. Supreme Court case New York Times Co. vs. United States, known as the Pentagon Papers Case, stands as a touchstone of First Amendment jurisprudence: a high-stakes legal drama that pitted the president against the press. 

Through the eyes of Columbia alumni and faculty at the heart of the case—journalists, publishers, military analysts, lawyers, and judges—we trace the anatomy of a constitutional crisis that began when the Times began publishing excerpts from a top-secret history of the Vietnam War in June 1971. President Richard Nixon was outraged and ordered the Justice Department to sue to stop publication, sparking a momentous legal battle that rapidly played out in the courts, culminating in the landmark Supreme Court ruling. The alumni voices are joined in the article by contemporary Columbia experts, including constitutional scholars and journalists, on the meaning and legacy of case that remains etched in the American psyche. 

When the 50th anniversary was approaching, we searched for Columbia people involved in the case—and struck a goldmine. We spoke with Times Editor Max Frankel, Times lawyer Floyd Abrams, and Pentagon Papers compiler Morton Halperin, among others. We also interviewed University President Lee C. Bollinger, a First Amendment scholar who had recently co-edited a volume of essays reflecting on the case. This helped make the article a “Columbia” story through and through. 

The piece was a hit with readers and promoted by the university. We received letters from people who were peripherally involved with the case, which added great interest to the Letters section of our next issue."

From the Judges

Excellent piece that ties Columbia alumni to a major historical event. Very well researched and written. It is probably a history lesson for some readers, too.