Dear Readers,
This fall marks the 56th anniversary of the Harvard Independent. Born in 1969, at the height of the Vietnam War and a campus disrupted by protest, the Indy emerged from students who demanded unbiased, topical reporting and a space for counterculture writing. For over half a century, the Indy has chronicled Harvard at its most urgent—documenting student moments, national reckonings, and global events with impacts far beyond the Yard.
At our office on 12 Arrow Street, shelves of bound volumes of the Independent trace this history: presidential elections, students on campus, moments of joy, and moments of national tragedy. Step into our sacred space, and you step into the story of Harvard itself.
But the Indy is not just its past. As we build our future upon our legacy, we want you to be a part of it.
In this week’s special edition, our Independent editors have curated a selection of pieces from across the decades. While this issue could be boundless, these chosen works reflect the essence of the Indy’s legacy: in-depth investigative reporting, front-page breaking news, bold creative writing, experimental design, and multimedia endeavors. Together, they showcase what has always set the Indy apart—our integrity, innovation, and independence.
Our mission, which first united us in 1969, has never wavered: to tell student stories, celebrate artistry, and uphold the value of independent and free journalism. Today as Harvard’s oldest weekly publication, we remain a home for students who want to report, create, challenge, disrupt, discover their voice, or find a family.
Whatever your passion, there is a place for you here at the Indy. Join us, be a part of our storied legacy. Carry with you our mission built on courage, creativity, and community. After all, our motto says it best: “We Belong to No One but Ourselves.” With this same sentiment in mind, acceptance inherently runs true: If we belong to no one, how can we tell anyone that they don’t belong with us?
Happy Indy Thursday, Harvard.
Layla Chaaraoui ’26 (laylachaaraoui@college.harvard.edu) is the Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Independent.