On this day in 1953, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg are executed in the United States following their conviction for selling atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. Many perceive the Rosenbergs as innocent victims of anti-communist hysteria.

NOVA: Secrets, Lies, and Atomic Spies, Family Spies
Read Interviews with Robert and Michael Meeropol, the sons of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

NOVA: Read Venona Intercepts: The September 21, 1944 cable: The Rosenbergs and the Greenglasses

This cable documents the act that eventually led to the downfall of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and their execution in 1953 — namely, the recruitment of Ruth Greenglass, Ethel’s sister-in-law. Ultimately, it was Ruth and David Greenglass who implicated the Rosenbergs, who became the only persons put to death for espionage in the U.S. during the Cold War.

The Guardian: “Enemies of Democracy”
This article appeared in the Guardian on Saturday, June 20, 1953:

“Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed early this morning at Sing Sing Prison for conspiring to pass atomic secrets to Russia in World War II.

Only a few minutes before, President Eisenhower had rejected a last desperate plea written in her cell by Ethel Rosenberg. Mr Emanuel Bloch, the couple’s lawyer, personally took the note to the White House where guards turned him away.

Neither of the two said anything before they died…”