The parents of those sitting on the lap in the picture were killed in the electric chair

June 19, 1953........

The parents of those sitting on the lap in the picture were killed in the electric chair. The news was kept secret by the family. The boys found out by reading the newspaper. The last letter written to them by their parents on the last day of their lives was also published in that newspaper—

"My dear Lakshmi children,

When I woke up this morning, it felt like we were all together. But I know that right now that is impossible, unimaginable. We want to tell you everything we have learned so far. But unfortunately, you don't have the opportunity to write much more.

I am writing very briefly—the various experiences of life, which will teach you a lifetime, just as they did for us. At first, you may feel very sad for us, but do not think that you are the only one experiencing this pain! We are comforting ourselves and so are you. Finally, perhaps one day you will believe how precious life is. You know by now that even though our existence is gradually disappearing, I know that by convicting us, the murderers have basically been defeated! You will definitely learn from the rules of life that the prosperity of good deeds is uncertain in the net of bad deeds. Along with gaining freedom and making life rich and enjoyable, you cannot buy and enjoy many things. Know that—we have tried to understand calmly and deeply that the excellence of civilization has not yet been achieved; where one person has to give his life to another in order to survive and has to live dependent on the teachings given by our ancestors. I really wanted to spend the rest of my life laughing and playing with you, living contentedly. "Your 'father and mother' and I were together for a few hours at the end, we love you from the bottom of our hearts. Always remember, we were innocent and our conscience was clear. We hug you with love and many, many kisses."

End

Your father and mother

Julius and Ethel

The Rosenbergs were executed by electric chair before sunset on June 19, 1953. That day would have been their 14th wedding anniversary.

The two were executed separately. Julius Rosenberg was put in the chair first. He died from the first electric shock. But Ethel was an exception. She did not die from the first shock. Even after giving her the usual three shocks, the doctors found her heartbeat! Then she was forced to give her two more shocks. Ethel Rosenberg died immediately. According to eyewitness accounts, smoke was seen coming out of Ethel's head!

Their crime - they called themselves internationalists. They protested against exploitation and deprivation wherever there was exploitation in the world. They were present at the Communist International. They also roared against the exploitation of their own country's rulers. The American government called this communist couple traitors. They were executed for supplying the technology to make atomic bombs to a foreign country.

Many Americans believed they were innocent. The verdict was condemned from many sides. An angry Jean-Paul Sartre commented, "It is murder by law. An entire nation is stained with blood." The Pope and Pablo Picasso appealed to Eisenhower to spare the lives of the Rosenbergs. Even Nobel laureates such as Albert Einstein, Harold Urr, and many other prominent figures in society spoke out against the verdict. But on February 11, 1953, President Eisenhower rejected all appeals and executed them.

And so ended the life of the Rosenbergs. They were buried in Wellwood Cemetery in New York. About 500 people attended their funeral that day. And about 10,000 people stood.