Vanzetti, Bartolomeo, 1888-1927

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Nicola Sacco (April 22, 1891 – August 23, 1927) and Bartolomeo Vanzetti (June 11, 1888 – August 23, 1927) were Italian immigrant anarchists who were controversially accused of murdering a guard and a paymaster during the April 15, 1920, armed robbery of the Slater and Morrill Shoe Company in Braintree, Massachusetts, United States. Seven years later, they were electrocuted in the electric chair at Charlestown State Prison.

After a few hours' deliberation on July 14, 1921, the jury convicted Sacco and Vanzetti of first-degree murder and they were sentenced to death by the trial judge. Anti-Italianism, anti-immigrant, and anti-Anarchist bias were suspected as having heavily influenced the verdict. A series of appeals followed, funded largely by the private Sacco and Vanzetti Defense Committee. The appeals were based on recanted testimony, conflicting ballistics evidence, a prejudicial pretrial statement by the jury foreman, and a confession by an alleged participant in the robbery. All appeals were denied by trial judge Webster Thayer and also later denied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. By 1926, the case had drawn worldwide attention. As details of the trial and the men's suspected innocence became known, Sacco and Vanzetti became the center of one of the largest causes célèbres in modern history. In 1927, protests on their behalf were held in every major city in North America and Europe, as well as in Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Montevideo, Johannesburg, and Auckland.

Celebrated writers, artists, and academics pleaded for their pardon or for a new trial. Harvard law professor and future Supreme Court justice Felix Frankfurter argued for their innocence in a widely read Atlantic Monthly article that was later published in book form. The two were scheduled to die in April 1927, accelerating the outcry. Responding to a massive influx of telegrams urging their pardon, Massachusetts governor Alvan T. Fuller appointed a three-man commission to investigate the case. After weeks of secret deliberation that included interviews with the judge, lawyers, and several witnesses, the commission upheld the verdict. Sacco and Vanzetti were executed in the electric chair just after midnight on August 23, 1927.

Investigations in the aftermath of the executions continued throughout the 1930s and 1940s. The publication of the men's letters, containing eloquent professions of innocence, intensified belief in their wrongful execution. Additional ballistics tests and incriminating statements by the men's acquaintances have clouded the case. On August 23, 1977—the 50th anniversary of the executions—Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis issued a proclamation that Sacco and Vanzetti had been unfairly tried and convicted and that "any disgrace should be forever removed from their names". Later analyses have also added doubt to their culpability in the crimes for which they were convicted.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. Rochester Joint Board minutes, 1919-1966 [bulk 1919-1932]. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives
referencedIn Hodder, Jessie Donaldson, 1867-1931. Papers, 1873-1931 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn FBI files on Sacco and Vazetti, 1920-1927. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. Rochester Joint Board. Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, Rochester Joint Board minutes, 1919-1966, bulk 1919-1932. [microform]. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Kavanagh, Marcus. [Manuscript by Marcus Kavanagh of an evaluation of the Sacco-Vanzetti case, undated.] Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Aldino Felicani Sacco-Vanzetti Collection Boston Public Library, Central Library in Copley Square
referencedIn Sacco and Vanzetti case collection, [1922-1926] University of Minnesota Libraries. Immigration History Research Center [ihrc]
referencedIn Ford, Henry, 1863-1947. General Personal records series, 1823-1984 (bulk 1920-1947) The Henry Ford, Benson Ford Research Center
creatorOf Musmanno, Michael Angelo,. The Sacco Vanzetti case records : collection, 1922-1964. Duquesne University Library, Gumberg Library
creatorOf Vanzetti, Bartolomeo, 1888-1927. Letter, 1927 Aug. 12. Boston Athenaeum
referencedIn Papers, 1927-1964. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Jackson, Gardner. Correspondence with Carl Zigrosser, 1930. University of Pennsylvania Library
referencedIn Sacco-Vanzetti New Trial League. Letter to contributors for the defense of Sacco and Vanzetti, June 1924. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Sacco and Vanzetti Collection, 1923-1971 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Papers, 1899-1940, 1956 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Shields, Art. Documentary evidence of Vanzetti's innocence [1927] University of Michigan
referencedIn Sacco-Vanzetti case records Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Autograph File, L, 1641-1976. Houghton Library
referencedIn Notes on the Sacco-Vanzetti Trial. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Rose Pesotta papers, 1922-1965 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Hutchins, Grace, 1885-. Grace Hutchins papers, 1902-1968. University of Oregon Libraries
creatorOf Vanzetti, Bartolomeo, 1888-1927. Letter, 1927 May 15, to F.H. Bigelow. Boston Athenaeum
referencedIn Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930. TLS, 1927 August 25 : Pointe-au-Pic, Canada, to Ike M. Ullman. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Dana, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1881-1950. Papers on Henri Barbusse and Sacco-Vanzetti, 1913-1949. Houghton Library
referencedIn Sacco-Vanzetti Defense Committee. Newsletters and press releases of the Sacco-Vanzetti Defense Committee, 1923-1926. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn [Sacco-Vanzetti materials]. Indiana University
referencedIn Weeks, Robert P. (Robert Percy), 1915-. Commonwealth vs. Sacco and Vanzetti papers, 1960-1977. University of Michigan
referencedIn Letter to Governor Fuller and Governor's Council of Massachusetts, April 27, 1927. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Labour Defence Council. Letter to Jay R. Benton, 21 October 1925. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Grace Hutchins papers, 1902-1968 University of Oregon Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Bullard, F. Lauriston (Frederic Lauriston), 1866-1952. [Newspaper clippings, articles and clippings from magazines, mimeographed releases, pamphlets, documents, reprints, letters and copies of letters, typescripts and manuscript transcripts of interviews and conversations relative to the Sacco-Vanzetti case, brought together and mounted by F.L. Bullard in his capacity as chief editorial writer for the Boston Herald, with some items annotated by him]. University of Massachusetts Amherst, W.E.B. Du Bois Library
referencedIn Sacco-Vanzetti Trial Newspaper Clippings, April-Nov. 1927 Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Di Silvestro, Giovanni M., 1879-1958. Giovanni M. Di Silvestro Order Sons of Italy in America Collection, 1909-1954, 1922-1935. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
referencedIn Arthur D. Hill Family papers, 1841-1963 (bulk 1890-1920). Portsmouth Athenaeum Library & Museum
referencedIn Autograph File, V, 1476-1947. Houghton Library
referencedIn James, Edward Holton, b. 1873. The story of Mario Buda before the jury of the world. : Told on the island of Lipari, province of Messina, Italy, February 14-16, 1928, in the presence of Commendatore Giuesppe Dosi, of the Italian police, and Edward Houlton James, of Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., 1928. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Letter to Governor Fuller and Governor's Council of Massachusetts, April 27, 1927. HCL Technical Services, Harvard College Library
referencedIn Papers of Elizabeth Glendower Evans, 1859-1944 (inclusive), 1882-1944 (bulk) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Giovanni M. Di Silvestro Order Sons of Italy in America Collection, 1909-1954 University of Minnesota Libraries. Immigration History Research Center [ihrc]
referencedIn Pesotta, Rose, 1896-. 12th anniversary - Sacco-Vanzetti, 1939. University of Michigan
referencedIn Sacco-Vanzetti collection, 1927. Johns Hopkins University, Sheridan Libraries and the Milton S. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Massachusetts. Governor's Advisory Committee on the Sacco-Vanzetti Case. Committee files, 1927-1939 (bulk 1927) Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Archives
referencedIn Gropper, William, 1897-1977,. Bartolomeo Vanzetti death mask [art original]. Boston Public Library, Central Library in Copley Square
creatorOf Vanzetti, Bartolomeo, 1888-1927. Letter, 1927 Jun. 9, Dedham Jail, Mass., to Li Pei Kan [n.p.]. University of Michigan
referencedIn Ehrmann, Herbert Brutus, 1891-1970. Papers of Herbert Brutus Ehrmann, 1906-1970 (inclusive), 1926-1968 (bulk). Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn International Labor Defense records, 1926-1946 Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Archives Section
referencedIn Sinclair, Upton, 1878-1968. Upton Sinclair miscellaneous uncataloged materials : articles, source materials, photographs, recordings, memorabilia, etc. Indiana University
creatorOf Rose Pesotta papers, 1922-1965. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Seeger, Ruth Crawford, 1901-1953. Sacco, Vanzetti : soprano, mandolin, mandola, mandocello, guitar / music, Ruth Crawford; words, H.T. Tsiang; arranged by Larry Polansky. Mills College, F. W. Olin Library
referencedIn Lowell, A. Lawrence (Abbott Lawrence), 1856-1943. Papers concerning the Sacco and Vanzetti case, 1921-1927. Houghton Library
referencedIn International Labor Defense records, 1926-1946. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Borglum, Gutzon, 1867-1941,. Sacco and Vanzetti bas-relief [art original]. Boston Public Library, Central Library in Copley Square
referencedIn Dana, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1881-1950. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Dana papers on Henri Barbusse and Sacco-Vanzetti, 1913-1949. Houghton Library
referencedIn Ehrmann, Herbert B. (Herbert Brutus), 1891-1970. Papers, 1906-1970 Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn John Finerty papers, 1910-1961 University of Oregon Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Grinnell, Frank W. (Frank Washburn), 1873-1964,. Sacco-Vanzetti trial newspaper clippings, April-Nov., 1927. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Massachusetts. Division of State Police. Sacco and Vanzetti case file, 1920-1977 (bulk 1920-1932). Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Archives
referencedIn Letters received, 1960-1963 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
referencedIn Saul, George James, 1897-1967. George James Saul "The making of a rebel in America : an unfinished autobiography". Draft, 1969. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Papers of Elizabeth Glendower Evans, 1859-1944 (inclusive), 1882-1944 (bulk) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Blitzstein, Marc. [Sacco and Vanzetti (Sketches) / Marc Blitzstein]. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Massachusetts. Attorney General's Office. Sacco and Vanzetti case file, 1919-1976 (bulk 1920-1927). Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Archives
referencedIn Goldman, Emma, 1869-1940. TLS (initials) : St. Tropez [France], to Ella Pomilia, 1928 June 19. Boston Public Library, Central Library in Copley Square
referencedIn Blackwell Family Papers, 1759-1960, (bulk 1845-1890) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Letters, 1958. Boston Athenaeum
referencedIn Stone, Elihu, 1888-1952. Papers, 1913-2015 Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at New England Historic Genealogical Society
referencedIn Postcards, [192-?]. Boston Public Library, Central Library in Copley Square
referencedIn Cerise C. Jack Papers Relating to the Sacco and Vanzetti Case, circa 1921-1999, (bulk 1923-1930) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Sacco-Vanzetti case records, 1920-1928. Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Thompson, William G. Sacco and Vanzetti case collection, [1922-1926]. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
referencedIn Sacco-Vanzetti Memorial Committee. Letter, 1930 Aug. 8. Boston Athenaeum
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. Rochester Joint Board. corporateBody
associatedWith Ba, Jin, 1905- person
associatedWith Bigelow, F. H. person
correspondedWith Blackwell family family
associatedWith Blitzstein, Marc person
associatedWith Blitzstein, Marc. person
associatedWith Borglum, Gutzon, 1867-1941, person
associatedWith Bullard, F. Lauriston (Frederic Lauriston), 1866-1952. person
correspondedWith Dana, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1881-1950 person
associatedWith Di Silvestro, Giovanni M., 1879-1958. person
associatedWith Ehrmann, Herbert Brutus, 1891-1970. person
associatedWith ELIZABETH GLENDOWER (GARDINER) EVANS, 1856-1937 person
correspondedWith EMMA GOLDMAN, 1869-1940 person
associatedWith Evans, Elizabeth Glendower, 1856-1937. person
associatedWith Finerty, John Frederick, 1885-1967 person
associatedWith Ford, Henry, 1863-1947. person
associatedWith Goldman, Emma, 1869-1940. person
associatedWith Grinnell, Frank W. q (Frank Washburn), 1873-1964 person
associatedWith Gropper, William, 1897-1977, person
associatedWith Hill family. family
associatedWith Hodder, Jessie Donaldson, 1870-1931. person
associatedWith Hutchins, Grace, 1885- person
associatedWith International Labor Defense. corporateBody
correspondedWith Jack, Cerise C. person
associatedWith Jackson, Gardner. person
associatedWith James, Edward Holton, b. 1873. person
associatedWith Kavanagh, Marcus. person
associatedWith Labour Defence Council. corporateBody
correspondedWith LEON MALMED, 1881-1956 person
associatedWith Lowell, A. Lawrence (Abbott Lawrence), 1856-1943. person
associatedWith Massachusetts. Attorney General's Office. corporateBody
associatedWith Massachusetts. Division of State Police. corporateBody
associatedWith Massachusetts. Governor's Advisory Committee on the Sacco-Vanzetti Case. corporateBody
associatedWith Minott, Henry. person
associatedWith Montgomery, Robert H. (Robert Humphrey), b. 1889. person
associatedWith Musmanno, Michael Angelo, person
associatedWith Pesotta, Rose, 1896- person
associatedWith Sacco-Vanzetti Defense Committee. corporateBody
associatedWith Sacco-Vanzetti Memorial Committee. corporateBody
associatedWith Sacco-Vanzetti New Trial League. corporateBody
associatedWith Saul, George James, 1897-1967. person
associatedWith Seeger, Ruth Crawford, 1901-1953. person
associatedWith Shields, Art. person
associatedWith Sinclair, Upton, 1878-1968. person
associatedWith Stone, Elihu David, 1889-1952 person
associatedWith Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930. person
associatedWith Thompson, William G. person
associatedWith Thompson, William G. person
associatedWith Weeks, Robert P. (Robert Percy), 1915- person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Dedham MA US
Charlestown MA US
Braintree MA US
Subject
Anarchism
Italian American anarchists
Italian Americans
Trials (Murder)
Sacco
Occupation
Anarchists
Activity

Person

Birth 1888-06-11

Death 1927-08-23

Male

Italians

Italian

Information

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