1978: NOAA announces gender-neutral hurricane naming system
Federal News Network presents a daily update of important moments in the history of the U.S. government.
May 12, 20206:00 am
< a min read
Sen. Joseph McCarthy began his crusade against suspected communist sympathizers in 1950 when he charged that there were more than 200 “known communists” in the State Department. He became one of the most famous and feared members of Congress and manipulated the national media into a state of frenzy around exposing alleged communists with an array of accusations. By 1954 his effect was shifting to a liability. He alleged the U.S. Army was soft on communism and the Government Operations Committee in the Senate began televised hearings. They proved ill-advised as the American public was finally able to see McCarthy’s bluster and bullying tactics first-hand. No charges were upheld against Army officials and in December that year the Senate voted to censure McCarthy for his conduct.