This is a loose timeline of the history of the GNU Free Documentation License issue within Debian. It's meant to be a "one-stop shop" for people who want to know more.
2002-11: the FSF publishes version 1.2 of the GNU Free Documentation License: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/fdl.html
2003: Manoj publishes draft statement on GFDL: http://people.debian.org/~srivasta/Position_Statement.xhtml
2006-03-12: GR 2006-01 Option 2 passes: "GFDL-licensed works without unmodifiable sections are free": http://www.debian.org/vote/2006/vote_001