‘The Onion’

In 1988, two University of Wisconsin students, Tim Keck and Christopher Johnson, worked together to develop what was then a small comedic college newsletter. The paper they created is now The Onion, one of the most prevalent online satirical news sources, with commentary on real and fictional events ranging from local to global.

Writers and editors from The Onion are coming to the University of Maryland on Thursday to provide a glimpse into their writers’ room and speak about the importance of satire in a self-serious society.

The publication has produced many notable articles and multimedia pieces throughout its rich 27-year history, receiving vast acclaim and immense popularity. In honor of The Onion’s visit to this university, here are five of its best.

5. ‘I Am Under 18’ Button Clicked For First Time In History Of Internet — Oct. 15, 2008

Stress is built into our society, particularly on college campuses, and one of the few successful release methods is laughter. Laughter is what The Onion induces best, with witty articles like this one. A light jest at America’s youth and their Internet habits, this short article pokes fun at a prominent social convention.

4. Area Mom Was Waiting In The Car For 20 Minutes — Sept. 23, 2012

Sometimes The Onion takes a personal, small-scale story and satirizes it. This article does just that, evaluating an everyday, relatable problem through a serious lens. At just more than 100 words, this article’s genius is in its directness and simplicity.

3. Supreme Court Rules Supreme Court Rules — Jan. 22, 1997

The Onion frequently mocks our national institutions and their actions, including the Supreme Court and its rulings. Whether employed to make a political statement or just to shed levity on an intense sociopolitical issue, this style of journalism has proven effective and powerful. 

2. Black Guy Asks Nation For Change — March 19, 2008

Political satire is one of The Onion’s most popular breeds of satire, and this 2008 article helped the news source begin its humorous evaluation of President Barack Obama’s candidacy and subsequent presidency.

1. ’98 Homosexual-Recruitment Drive Nearing Goal — July 29, 1998

The Onion has come to be known for, among other things, being mistaken for a legitimate news source by certain gullible individuals. Its professional-sounding reporting and real-world conversation topics have tricked many into believing its articles are legitimate. This is one of the most notable examples.

SEE Presents: An Evening with The Onion is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Stamp Student Union’s Grand Ballroom. Tickets can be obtained at the Stamp Ticket Office free of charge. Seats will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.