On February 9, 1950, a then-unknown senator named Joseph McCarthy delivered one of the most consequential speeches of his generation. | American Experience | PBS

In 1950, Joseph McCarthy accused Owen Lattimore of being a "top Russian spy." Lattimore's experience defending himself explains how the anti-communist system worked. | American Experience | PBS

Joseph McCarthy hired 26-year-old Roy Cohn in 1953 to serve as Chief Counsel for the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and relied heavily on Cohn—for contacts, information, ideas, and political advice. | American Experience | PBS

Before his name became synonymous with political witch hunts, Joseph McCarthy was simply a senator from Wisconsin. Tune in or stream #McCarthyPBS Mon, Jan 6 at 9/8c on American Experience | PBS. | PBS