The Onion responds to the Charlie Hebdo murders in its best, tragicomic Onion tradition

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

last updated 8 January 2015

The Onion's finest moment, arguably, was its first issue after moving to New York City, published right after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. The French are reportedly calling the terrorist attack on the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo the country's 9/11, and The Onion has once again risen to the occasion.

"According to totally and utterly depressing early reports, given the tragic deaths of 12 people, it is impossible to say with absolute certainty that this 500-word article will not make those involved in its writing — and potentially even those not involved — the targets of brutal and unconscionable violence," The Onion wrote in its article:

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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