Historical1954
Army-McCarthy Hearings: "Have You No Sense of Decency?"
During the Army-McCarthy hearings, attorney Joseph Welch confronted Senator Joseph McCarthy with the famous question, "Have you no sense of decency, sir?" The exchange marked a turning point in public opinion against McCarthy's anti-communist investigations.
Why It Matters
This moment demonstrated the power of public accountability and free inquiry in checking government overreach, illustrating how democratic institutions can self-correct when civic courage prevails.