As America’s ideological polar opposites, the communist struck fear into the hearts of patriotic Americans from their very first year in existence. Back around 1917 – 1920 Communists were suspected to be behind the widespread labor strikes and walkouts; by 1950 their spies were thought to have stolen American nuclear secrets, and catching Russia up with America in atomic bomb development. Communist influence in the U.S. was also blamed for turning China into the open hands of the USSR. Many blamed the “communists” as an ill-defined group, but Senator Joseph McCarthy knew exactly the individual responsible — Owen Lattimore, a professor at Johns Hopkins University.

On this day, March 26, a radio talk show hosted by Drew Pearson leaked the news that McCarthy had elevated Professor Lattimore to the top spot on the hypothetical Russian spy syndicate. Lattimore worked a lot on China and other Southeast Asian countries that fell to the Soviets. To McCarthy, it was evidence clear-cut.

Lattimore carefully prepared his presentation to the Senate committee to defend against the charges. He began by taking of a page of the McCarthy’s book, accusing the Senator of suspicious activities himself, such as relying on Russian sources (and low-quality ones at that). Lattimore then laid out in detail the reasons for his statements on China. Everything was coherent and complete logical. The inquiry ended with the presiding member reading that an investigation had already clear Lattimore of any ties to the Communists.