Daniel Ellsberg (born April 7, 1931) is an American political activist, former military analyst, and whistleblower. He gained prominence in the early 1970s for releasing the classified Pentagon Papers, a top-secret study of the U.S. government's involvement in the Vietnam War.
Ellsberg was born in Chicago, Illinois, and had an accomplished career in the military and the U.S. government before becoming an influential figure in American history. He worked for the RAND Corporation, focusing on U.S. defense and foreign policy, and later served as a military analyst for the Department of Defense and the State Department during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.
However, disillusioned by the government's secretive and dishonest handling of the war in Vietnam, Ellsberg copied and leaked thousands of pages of the Pentagon Papers to journalists in 1971. This courageous act, exposing the government's lies and manipulation of information, played a significant role in shaping public opinion and ultimately led to a reevaluation of the country's continued involvement in the war.
Ellsberg's action was met with fierce government opposition, including charges of espionage and theft, leading to a highly publicized trial. Nevertheless, his actions were celebrated by many Americans who saw him as a whistleblower and a champion of transparency and accountability.
Overall, Daniel Ellsberg's legacy lies in challenging the status quo and inspiring others to question authority, ultimately contributing to a more critical and informed public discourse on matters of war, government secrecy, and the importance of civic engagement.
