In 1939, the editors spoke out against the Daughters of the American Revolution when the group tried to prevent Marian Anderson from performing in Constitution Hall. Anderson performed instead at the Lincoln Memorial before a crowd of 75,000.

Over the past 110 years, the U.S. Catholic population has grown from 14.3 million to 68.5 million. There have been plenty of historical firsts and statistics of note along the way; here is a selection from the archives of America magazine.

From 1954: The turn taken in the McCarthy-Stevens hearings beginning May 4 dramatized across the nation the grave constitutional issue posed by Senator McCarthy’s “methods.”

From 1964: It was Easter that made up the core of the “good news” preached by the apostles.

From 1962: What grounds exist for reasonable confidence in the Council’s outcome?

From 1933: Prohibition has been a bitter experience, and a time of disaster.

From 1944: May the English-born Saint Boniface, through his intercession with God, bring out of the battles of today the peace of tomorrow.

Lay Catholics are ready to lend their expertise, leadership and prayers to heal the wounds inflicted on children and the church by abusers and the leaders who failed to stop them.

The health of U.S. democracy demands attention to its electoral mechanics. Both candidates and voters should prioritize improving elections.

Protracted and opaque processes only reinforce the fear that the church is still more invested in protecting itself than in protecting those who suffer from abuse, the editors write.