Graduation goes online as thousands of students watch celebrity commencement speakers at home

By Dan Friedell
Matthew Delaney
May 17, 2020 | 1:39 AM

From individual universities and colleges bringing celebrity graduation speakers to their students over the internet due to the coronavirus pandemic, to major companies like Chase and Facebook organizing virtual graduation celebrations, thousands of members of the Class of 2020 turned to their screens to kick of commencement season. See selected addresses below.

2026 National Book Festival celebrates the enduring power of books

By Terik King
August 23, 2026 | 9:04 AM

More than 80,000 people registered for tickets to the 26th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival, a celebration of books, authors and storytelling in D.C. on Saturday. The festival featured more than 80 authors, who signed books and participated in lectures and moderated conversations. Among them was D.C. native and debut novelist Bsrat Mezghebe, who had attended the festival as a reader for years and was there for the first time as an author. “I am thrilled. I am honored,” Mezghebe said.

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