The history of independent weekly newspapers in the United States is quite compelling, and it would seem that almost every American city has at least one of these types of papers. New York has many of these ferociously independent papers, the best known is most likely the Village Voice. Founded 50 years ago by a group of literary types (including Norman Mailer), the paper continues to be a vital force in independent journalism, and remains well-regarded for its erudite book reviews, film critiques, and other forms of criticism. This site pays homage to their first 50 years, and it includes an interactive slideshow of some of their most notable covers, along with a timeline that offers the Voice’s own unique perspective on various happenings within New York, such as the rise of punk and the career of Lenny Bruce. The site is rounded out by a selection of book reviews from the pages of the Voice over the years, including short pieces on Franny and Zooey and The Confessions of Nat Turner.