HUAC Blacklists Hollywood: Witch Hunt for Communists
The House Committee on Un-American Activities subpoenaed Hollywood figures in October 1947 to root out alleged Communist propaganda, instantly fracturing the film industry. Walt Disney and Ronald Reagan testified against suspected sympathizers while John Huston, Humphrey Bogart, and others formed a protest committee that faced immediate studio backlash. This confrontation forced eleven "unfriendly witnesses" to refuse testimony, triggering blacklists that erased careers and silenced dissent for decades.
October 20, 1947
79 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on October 20
Papst Clemens VI. verbietet die öffentlichen Geißlerzüge der Flagellanten.
en Bélgica, se libra la batalla de Montenaken.
en la actual República Dominicana, Francisco Dávila funda la villa Hato Mayor del Rey como una porción de tierra que se dedicaba a la ganadería y la agricultura…
Kaiser Karl V. landet mit einer Flotte bei Algier, um den algerischen Korsaren das Handwerk zu legen. Ein Unwetter, das die Schiffe zerstreut, und schwere Verlu…
Alonso de Mendoza founded La Paz in a valley 11,975 feet above sea level on orders from Charles V. He named it Nuestra Señora de La Paz—Our Lady of Peace—becaus…
The Duke of Alba crushed William the Silent’s forces at the Battle of Jodoigne, scattering the Dutch rebel army and forcing William into exile. This victory sec…
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