The Hullabaloo's Satirical Take on American History

The Tulane student newspaper looks back on its fictional coverage of pivotal moments in U.S. history.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:51am

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A minimalist, abstract illustration featuring bold, jagged black silhouettes against a stark white background, conceptually representing the subversive and satirical nature of The Tulane Hullabaloo's fictional historical coverage.The Tulane Hullabaloo's satirical take on American history offers a humorous alternative to traditional journalistic narratives.New Orleans Today

In a lighthearted look at its own archives, the student newspaper The Tulane Hullabaloo has published a satirical article recounting its fictional coverage of key events in American history, from the War of 1812 to the 9/11 attacks. The article, presented as a retrospective, pokes fun at the Hullabaloo's past editorial stances and journalistic approach, offering a humorous alternative history of how the student publication reported on pivotal moments that shaped the nation.

Why it matters

The Hullabaloo's satirical article provides a playful commentary on the role of student media in covering major historical events, as well as the changing attitudes and biases that can influence journalistic perspectives over time. By imagining its own fictional coverage of landmark moments, the article offers a unique and entertaining take on how the student press might have responded to transformative moments in American history.

The details

The article covers several fictional news stories from the Hullabaloo's archives, including its alarmist reporting on the War of 1812, its attempt to guide readers on which side to support in the Civil War, its celebration of women at Newcomb College during World War I, its enthusiastic coverage of the atomic bombings of Japan, and its misguided investigation into claims that Osama bin Laden was posing as a musical theater student at Loyola University New Orleans after 9/11.

  • The article was published on April 2, 2026, as America approaches its 250th birthday.
  • The fictional Hullabaloo coverage spans key moments in U.S. history, from the War of 1812 to the 9/11 attacks.

The players

The Tulane Hullabaloo

The student newspaper of Tulane University, known for its satirical and humorous take on campus and national news.

Andrew Jackson

The future U.S. president who led American forces to victory against the British in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.

Molly Gray

A fictional Newcomb College student who celebrated the draft of her situationship during World War I.

Osama bin Laden

The al-Qaeda leader behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks, who was mistakenly believed by the Hullabaloo to be posing as a musical theater student at Loyola University New Orleans.

Francis Marshall

The former Editor-in-Chief of the Hullabaloo, who was executed by the U.S. Navy in 1872 while the publication operated as a band of pirates in the Caribbean.

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The takeaway

The Hullabaloo's satirical retrospective on its fictional coverage of American history highlights the student press's role in shaping narratives, the evolution of journalistic perspectives, and the importance of maintaining a critical and humorous lens when reflecting on the past.