Letters From the Archives
A time capsule from The Atlantic’s past, highlighting archival stories and responses from readers at the time.
A time capsule from The Atlantic’s past, highlighting archival stories and responses from readers at the time.
In 1961, Atlantic readers debated a question Americans are still asking today.
In 1994, Eric Schlosser made the case for decriminalizing marijuana and eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing. Readers had a wide array of responses.
In the August 1963 issue, The Atlantic published King’s famous letter under the title “The Negro Is Your Brother.” Readers’ responses were largely positive.
The author of a radical proposal in The Atlantic’s October 1998 issue revisits his argument—and the negative reactions to it.
A window into a long-running national conversation, as experienced—and argued—by our readers
As the investigation wore on, The Atlantic’s coverage garnered telling responses.
In 1955, readers weighed in on changes made to the Girl Scout Handbook and the international objectives of the organization.
In the fall of 1967, readers responded to an article about the hippies of Haight-Ashbury.
In 1947, the then-president wrote to the editors regarding his decision to use atomic warfare during World War II.
Since 1877, the publication has garnered and published letters in various forms. We’ve traced the timeline.