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19th June

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1953: Rosenbergs executed


On June 19, 1953, despite international pleas for clemency, U.S. civilians Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed in the electric chair in Ossining, New York.

 

Known for their communist leanings, they were convicted of assisting a Los Alamos spy pass atomic secrets to the Soviets. Occurring at the height of red menace hysteria in the United States in the 1950s, evidence suggests that the government was not certain whether the Rosenbergs were guilty.

 

In one of her last letters before being executed, Ethel Rosenberg wrote: "my husband and I must be vindicated by history; we are the first victims of American Fascism."

 

Crime File: The Rosenbergs 

 



1999

Britain's Prince Edward, fourth child of Queen Elizabeth II, marries Sophie Rhys-Jones at Windsor Castle. The couple become the Duke and Duchess of Wessex.

1997

In Britain, William Hague becomes the youngest leader of the Conservative Party for 200 years - beating Kenneth Clarke in the election following the resignation of former Prime Minister John Major who lost the general election on May 1st, 1997.

1970

In Britain, the Conservative Party wins the general election - Edward Heath becomes Prime Minister following the defeat of Labour leader Harold Wilson.

1967

Monterey Pop Festival in America - featuring Jimi Hendrix; Otis Redding; Janis Joplin and The Who.

1964

In America, the House of Representatives passes the Civil Rights Bill. It's passed by the US Senate on July 2.

1953

In New York, the execution in the electric chair of Ethel and Julius Rosenburg - found guilty of spying for the Russians.

1944

World War II: Battle of the Philippines Sea between US and Japanese fleets near the island of Saipan.

1910

In Germany, the launch of the first Zeppelin (airship) airliner. It crashes a week later.

1885

In America, the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, arrives in New York.

1846

In America, the first official game of baseball is played at Hoboken, New Jersey.

1829

Founding of the Metropolitan Police Force in London by British Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel.

1820

Conductor Ludwig Spohr becomes the first musician to use a baton to conduct an orchestra during a performance in England.

1949

American actress Kathleen Turner.

1947

Pakistani-born author Salman Rushdie.

1925

British comedian Charlie Drake.

1903

English cricketer Walter Hammond.

1896

Bessie Wallis Warfield born in Baltimore. As divorcee Mrs Wallis Simpson, her relationship with the Prince of Wales (future Edward VIII) leads to his abdication. Becomes Duchess of Windsor when the couple marry when he leaves office.

1861

British military commander Douglas Haig.

1834

French painter Edgar Degas.

1623

French mathematician Blaise Pascal - inventor of an early calculator.

1566

James Stuart, King James VI of Scotland - James I of England 1603-1625 - the first British monarch to rule both England and Scotland.

1993

English writer Sir William Golding, author of Lord of the Flies, dies in Truro, Cornwall aged 81.

1992

Kitty McKane Godfree - Wimbledon champion (1924 & 1926) aged 96.

1953

Ethel and Julius Rosenburg executed in New York for spying for the Russians.

1937

Scottish writer James Barrie - creator of Peter Pan.