Stripes.com is the online presence of Stars and Stripes, a news organization that was originally founded in 1861 to serve the information needs of the U.S. military. The newspaper was established by Union Army officers during the American Civil War to provide news and entertainment to the troops. Over the decades, Stars and Stripes has continued to operate as an independent news source for the U.S. armed forces, with the U.S. Department of Defense providing funding and logistical support. Based in Washington, D.C., Stripes.com covers a wide range of news and topics relevant to active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families. This includes reporting on military operations, defense policy, veterans' affairs, as well as sports, entertainment, and lifestyle content tailored to the military community. While the website's primary focus is on issues affecting the U.S. armed forces, it also provides general news coverage of national and international events. One interesting fact: Despite its long history, Stars and Stripes has maintained a unique status as a news organization that is neither fully owned nor controlled by the U.S. government. This independent structure allows the publication to report on the military and government without the same constraints as other defense-related media outlets.