Today's Rosenberg Mention of the Day includes a short summary on Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, who issued a stay of execution in the Rosenberg Case. He was confirmed 85 years ago this month.
In a recent publication for Monthly Review, elder son of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg and RFC Advisory Board member Michael Meeropol shares an in-depth history of Judge Irving R. Kaufman, who presided over his parents' trial and sentenced them to death.
For today's Rosenberg Mention of the Day, we share this article on the legacy of Roy Cohn: Trump confidant and mentor, prosecuting attorney during Ethel and Julius Rosenberg's trial, and catalyst for both the Red and Lavender Scares of the 1950s.
Today, his persona is depicted in many major television and film productions, including the recent hit series "Fellow Travelers," following the love story of two men during the Lavender scare, and an upcoming drama, "The Apprentice," a film depicting Donald Trump's life during the 80s and 90s.
Today’s Rosenberg Mention of the Day comes from a fascinating review of current TV series, including “Fellow Travelers.”
Author Victoria A. Brownworth clearly is a fan of the show, and a historian, which is evident in the following political commentary, which introduces the review:
Folks in the Boston area might be interested to know that "Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Part 2: Perestroika," presented by Central Square Theater and Bedlam, continues at Central Square Theater through Oct. 8. “Part 1: Millennium Approaches” is staged Oct. 7.
Today’s literary Rosenberg Mention of the Day comes from the Times of India courtesy of Sylvia Plath: “'It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs and I didn’t know what I was doing in New York.’ The opening sentence of Sylvia Plath's 'The Bell Jar' sets a foreboding and disorienting tone as it describes a peculiar, stifling summer during the execution of the Rosenbergs in the 1950s….”
On this day in 1950, Ethel Rosenberg was arrested and charged with "conspiracy to commit espionage" after testifying before a grand jury.
This unusual Rosenberg Mention of the Day focuses on a new short dance film:
In what has become an annual 4th of July tradition, we’re sharing this remarkable alternative "National Anthem: Arise Arise" by activist artist and RFC friend, Jean Rohe. It's gorgeous and hits on so many topics, so gracefully… We love to imagine stadiums of people rising to sing an anthem that references "Strange Fruit" and the electric chair and back alley abortions and slavery and class issues and everything else this gorgeous song explores. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay1iC1zt24A
Now available to stream: "The Rosenberg Case 70 Years Later: Fighting Fascism Then and Now"
For folks who missed either of our live screenings in June 2023 (or would like to rewatch or share it), our short film is now available!
Watch the film here: www.rfc.org/70th