The Case
On April 15, 1920, two men were murdered during a payroll robbery in South Braintree, Massachusetts. Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were arrested, tried, and convicted in an atmosphere of fear and prejudice.
Their case became a global symbol of injustice and the dangers of political persecution, inspiring generations of activists, artists, and scholars.
Updates and Information as of August 23, 2025:
Every year around this time, for obvious reasons, I revisit this project. However with limited time, I never end up doing as much as I want to on it. Today I have added the bibliography section, cleaned up the creative works, added information about their writings and library collections, and cleaned up some styling issues. I am working on compiling more sources to add to this site, and I plan to especially focus on non-English and non-Italian sources, as those are harder to find elsewhere. I plan to make more frequent updates going forward, as this 98th anniversary working session has inspired and invigorated me to do more.
Be of great heart,
Megan
Chronology
June 11, 1888
Bartolomeo Vanzetti was born in Villafalleto, Cuneo, Italy
April 22, 1891
Nicola Sacco was born in Torremaggiore, Puglia in Italy
1908
Both men separately left Italy for the United States
1917
Sacco and Vanzetti met each other for the first time
April 15, 1920
Frederick Parmenter and Alessandro Berardelli murdered during payroll robbery in South Braintree, Massachusetts
May 5, 1920
Sacco and Vanzetti arrested in Brockton, Massachusetts
May 5, 1920
Sacco and Vanzetti were indicted
June 22, 1920
Bridgewater trial started
July 1, 1920
Jury deliberated for 5 hours and returned guilty on counts of armed robbery and first-degree murder
August 16, 1920
Vanzetti sentenced to 12-15 years in prison for armed robbery
May 31, 1921
Trial begins in Dedham, Massachusetts under Judge Webster Thayer
July 14, 1921
Sacco and Vanzetti convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death
1924
Celestino Madeiros confesses to the crime, implicating the Morelli gang
1925-1926
Multiple appeals filed and denied; global protests begin
April 9, 1927
Final appeal denied by Massachusetts Supreme Court
midnight, August 23, 1927
Sacco and Vanzetti executed by electric chair at Charlestown State Prison
August 23, 1977
Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis issued a proclamation declaring that Sacco and Vanzetti had been unfairly tried and convicted
"The more I live, the more I suffer, the more I learn, the more I am inclined to forgive, to be generous, and that the violence as such does not resolve the problem of life"- Bartolomeo Vanzetti, February 27, 1927