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Daniel Ellsberg Leaks the Pentagon Papers

Daniel Ellsberg Leaks the Pentagon Papers

In 1973, military analyst Daniel Ellsberg testifies to a congressional committee about leaking the Pentagon Papers. In 1971, Ellsberg gave the top-secret analysis of American involvement in Vietnam to the New York Times. The paper published excerpts revealing many of the government's shady dealings in prosecuting the war. The federal government sued to keep the papers secret, but a groundbreaking Supreme Court decision sided with newspapers in a powerful victory for the First Amendment.

In this photo: Daniel Ellsberg

Photo: Walter Bennett/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

May 16, 1973
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