1953: Americans Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, Jewish members of the Communist Party, are executed for espionage. As civilians, their death sentence sparks controversy.

1990s: Aldrich Ames, a high-ranking CIA official, is convicted of spying for the Soviets during his 31-year career. He receives life in prison, the harshest penalty possible. His wife is also convicted, but she receives only a several years imprisonment.

1950s: Roughly 5 percent of children are born out of wedlock in the United States.

Today: More than 30 percent of children are born out of wedlock in the United States.

1956: Polish workers protest the Communist regime. Over 100 demonstrators are killed.

1993: In the wake of capitalist reforms, Poland suffers a surge of violent crime inflicted by organized mobs.