The 2006 Pulitzer Prizes were announced on April 17th, 2006. The gold medal awarded for Public Service in Journalism The Pulitzer Prize is an American award regarded as the highest honor in print journalism, literary achievements, and musical compositions. ... April 17 is the 107th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (108th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Journalism

• Public service Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss.

For its valorous and comprehensive coverage of Hurricane Katrina, providing a lifeline for devastated readers, in print and online, during their time of greatest need. The Pulitzer Prize for Public Service has been awarded since 1918 for a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper through the use of its journalistic resources which may include editorials, cartoons, and photographs, as well as reporting. ...

• Public service Times-Picayune, New Orleans

For its heroic, multi-faceted coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, making exceptional use of the newspaper’s resources to serve an inundated city even after evacuation of the newspaper plant. (Selected by the Board from the Public Service category, where it was entered.) The Pulitzer Prize for Public Service has been awarded since 1918 for a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper through the use of its journalistic resources which may include editorials, cartoons, and photographs, as well as reporting. ...

• Breaking news reporting Staff of Times-Picayune, New Orleans

For its courageous and aggressive coverage of Hurricane Katrina, overcoming desperate conditions facing the city and the newspaper.

• Investigative reporting Susan Schmidt, James V. Grimaldi and R. Jeffrey Smith of Washington Post

For their indefatigable probe of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff that exposed congressional corruption and produced reform efforts. The Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting has been awarded since 1953 for a distinguished example of investigative reporting by an individual or team, presented as a single article or series in print journalism. ...

• Explanatory reporting David Finkel of Washington Post

For his ambitious, clear-eyed case study of the United States government’s attempt to bring democracy to Yemen. The Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting was first introduced in 1998, replacing the earlier Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism. ...

• Beat reporting Dana Priest of Washington Post

For her persistent, painstaking reports on secret “black site” prisons and other controversial features of the government’s counterterrorism campaign. The Pulitzer Prize for Beat Reporting has been presented since 1991 for a distinguished example of beat reporting characterized by sustained and knowledgeable coverage of a particular subject or activity. ...

• National reporting James Risen and Eric Lichtblau of New York Times

For their carefully sourced stories on secret domestic eavesdropping that stirred a national debate on the boundary line between fighting terrorism and protecting civil liberty. The Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting has been awarded since 1948 for a distinguished example of reporting on national affairs. ...

• National reporting Staffs of San Diego Union-Tribune and Copley News Service, with notable work by Marcus Stern and Jerry Kammer.

For their disclosure of bribe-taking that sent former Rep. Randy Cunningham to prison in disgrace. The Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting has been awarded since 1948 for a distinguished example of reporting on national affairs. ...

• International reporting Joseph Kahn and Jim Yardley of New York Times

For their ambitious stories on ragged justice in China as the booming nation’s legal system evolves. The Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting has been awarded since 1948 for a distinguished example of reporting on international affairs, including United Nations correspondence. ...

• Feature writing Jim Sheeler of Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colo.

For his poignant story on a Marine major who helps the families of comrades killed in Iraq cope with their loss and honor their sacrifice. The Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing has been awarded since 1979 for a distinguished example of feature writing giving prime consideration to high literary quality and originality. ...

• Commentary Nicholas D. Kristof of New York Times

For his graphic, deeply reported columns that, at personal risk, focused attention on genocide in Darfur and that gave voice to the voiceless in other parts of the world. The Pulitzer Prize for Commentary has been awarded since 1970. ...

• Criticism Robin Givhan of Washington Post

For her witty, closely observed essays that transform fashion criticism into cultural criticism. The Pulitzer Prize for Criticism has been presented since 1970 to a newspaper writer who has demonstrated distinguished criticism. Recipients of the award are chosen by an independent board and officially administered by Columbia University. ...

• Editorial writing Rick Attig and Doug Bates of Oregonian, Portland

For their persuasive, richly reported editorials on abuses inside a forgotten Oregon mental hospital. The Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing has been awarded since 1917 for distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction. ...

• Editorial cartooning Mike Luckovich of Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For his powerful cartoons on an array of issues, drawn with a simple but piercing style. The Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning has been awarded since 1922 for a distinguished cartoon or portfolio of cartoons published during the year, characterized by originality, editorial effectiveness, quality of drawing, and pictorial effect. ...

• Breaking news photography Staff of Dallas Morning News

For its vivid photographs depicting the chaos and pain after Hurricane Katrina engulfed New Orleans. Students gather following the Columbine High School massacre, part of the photography for which the Rocky Mountain News won the 2000 Breaking News Photography Pulitzer. ...

• Feature photography Todd Heisler of Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colo.

For his haunting, behind-the-scenes look at funerals for Colorado Marines who return from Iraq in caskets. The Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography has been awarded since 1968 for a distinguished example of feature photography in black and white or color, which may consist of a photograph or photographs, a sequence or an album. ...

Letters and Drama

• Fiction March by Geraldine Brooks (Viking)
• Drama (No Award)
• History Polio: An American Story by David M. Oshinsky (Oxford University Press)
• Biography or autobiography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin (Alfred A. Knopf)
• Poetry Late Wife by Claudia Emerson (Louisiana State University Press)
• General non-fiction Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britain's Gulag in Kenya by Caroline Elkins (Henry Holt)
• Music Piano Concerto: 'Chiavi in Mano' by Yehudi Wyner (Associated Music Publishers, Inc.)

Premiered February 17, 2005 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction has been awarded since 1948 for distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life. ... Geraldine Brooks is an Australian author, who grew up in the Western suburbs of Sydney. ... The Pulitzer Prize for Drama was first awarded in 1918. ... The Pulitzer Prize for History has been awarded since 1917 for a distinguished book upon the history of the United States. ... The Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography has been presented since 1917 for a distinguished biography or autobiography by an American author. ... The Pulitzer Prize for Poetry has been presented since 1922 for a distinguished volume of original verse by an American author. ... The Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction has been awarded since 1962 for a distinguished book of non-fiction by an American author that is not eligible for consideration in any other category. ... The Pulitzer Prize for Music was first awarded in 1943. ...

Special Citations

• SPECIAL CITATION Edmund S. Morgan

A Special Citation to Edmund S. Morgan for a creative and deeply influential body of work as an American historian that spans the last half century.

• SPECIAL CITATION Thelonious Monk

A posthumous Special Citation to American composer Thelonious Monk for a body of distinguished and innovative musical composition that has had a significant and enduring impact on the evolution of jazz.

Source

The Pulitzer Prizes for 2006