Soviet Spies: The Rosenbergs

Ethel Greenglass born

Sep 28, 1915

Ethel Greenglass (Rosenberg) is born in New York City. Her mother is of Austria and her father of Russia. She had two brothers, David and Bernard, and also a half-brother.

Julius Rosenberg born

May 12, 1918

Julius Rosenberg is born in New York City. He is the son of Russian immigrants and had one brother and three sisters.

Julius first involved in communism

Jan 1, 1932

Julius joins the Young Communist League at the age of 14. "I feel that the majority of people should decide for themselves what kind of government they want."
-Julius Rosenberg

Julius in college

Period: Sep 1, 1934 to Feb 1, 1939

Julius attends school of engineering at New York college and graduates with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.

Julius and Ethel married

Jun 18, 1939

Julius Rosenberg and Ethel Greenglass are married.

Ethel signs petition

Aug 13, 1939

Ethel signs a Communist Party nominating petition.

First child born

Mar 10, 1943

Michael Allen Rosenberg is born.

Second child born

May 14, 1947

Robert Harry Rosenberg is born. (Michael and Robert, left)

Secret stolen

Jan 1, 1949

In 1949 (exact date not specified), the FBI discovered that the secret of the construction of the atomic bomb had been stolen and given the Soviet Union.

Gold confesses

May 22, 1950

Harry Gold confesses to FBI his involvement in Soviet espionage. This leads to the discovery of David and Ruth Greenglass' involvement and eventually Julius and Ethel Rosenberg's.

Julius arrested

Jun 17, 1950

Julius Rosenberg is arrested after suspicion was raised. He had previously been fired from his job with the Signal Corps after they discovered he was a member of the Communist Party.

Ethel arrested

Aug 11, 1950

Ethel Rosenberg is arrested.

Rosenberg trial begins

Mar 6, 1951

The trial against the Rosenbergs begins.

Rosenbergs convicted

Mar 29, 1951

Ethel and Julius Rosenbergs are convicted and sentenced to death. "I refuse to answer on the ground that this might be incriminating."
-Ethel Rosenberg "I would like to state that my personal opinions are that the people of every country should decide by themselves what kind of government they want."
-Julius Rosenberg

Rosenbergs executed

Jun 19, 1953

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed by electric chair. "This death sentence is not surprising. It had to be."
-Julius Rosenberg