The Federal Diary celebrates 80 years

Thursday marks 80 years for the Federal Diary, our regular column on and for the Federal workforce. It launched Nov. 29, 1932. A small box at the bottom of that day’s front page announced its arrival.

Federal Diary columnist Joe Davidson described The Diary’s origins in a column in Thursday’s paper:

 When the Diary began covering issues involving federal employees — a core segment of The Washington Post audience — president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt and congressional leaders were discussing legislation to legalize beer....