During the McCarthy era, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for allegedly giving atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. They were executed on June 19, 1953.
The message that he was trying to get across to everybody, was that they were strong enough and capable enough to break free from England all together. Also, he was making it clear to the king of England that the new people of United states were not afraid to break free. His whole goal was to persuade the people that they should break free because, for one, the king was already taxing them to death, and two, the king still had control over them and he still had their loyalty even though they left. He wanted to make them realize how important it was for them to try to break free of Europe's control and to officially make the United States of America.
I hope this helps you. :)
