The Freedom of Information Act, the law by which documents of the United States of America are made available to the public, has been an exercise in patience and democracy since its inception. Now in its 50th year, FOIA has been a key tool in the checks and balances of the relationship between the people and their government. In honor of its golden anniversary, we’re taking a look back along memory lane, at the victories, defeats, and rejections that brought it to where it is today.

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