Origins & Early Life

Charles "Lucky" Luciano ( LOO-chee-AH-noh; Italian: [luˈtʃaːno]; born Salvatore Lucania [salvaˈtoːre lukaˈniːa]; November 24, 1897 – January 26, 1962) was an Italian mafioso who operated mainly in the United States. He started his criminal career in New York City's Five Points Gang and was instrumental in the development of the National Crime Syndicate. Luciano is considered the father of the Italian-American Mafia for the establishment of the Commission in 1931, after he abolished the capo dei capi (boss of bosses) title held by Salvatore Maranzano following the Castellammarese War. He was also the first official boss of the modern Genovese crime family.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1936, Luciano was tried and convicted for compulsory prostitution and running a prostitution racket after years of investigation by District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey. Although he was sentenced to thirty to fifty years in prison, an agreement was struck with the United States Department of the Navy through his Jewish Mob associate, Meyer Lansky, to provide naval intelligence during World War II. In 1946, for his alleged wartime cooperation, Luciano's sentence was commuted on the condition that he be deported to Italy. Luciano died...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Amelia Earhart — Contemporary (Born in 1897) (1897): Iconic American aviator whose pioneering flights shaped early 20th-century aviation.
• Benjamin Lee Whorf — Contemporary (Born in 1897) (1897): Pioneering linguist known for the theory of linguistic relativity.
• Charles Kingsford Smith — Contemporary (Born in 1897) (1897): Australian aviation pioneer, famed for transpacific and trans-Tasman flights.
• Andrey Lavrov — Contemporary (Born in 1962) (1962): Three-time Olympic gold medalist and decorated Russian handball legend.
• Arthur Compton — Contemporary (Died in 1962) (1962): Pioneering physicist known for the Compton effect and contributions to nuclear science.
• Auguste Piccard — Contemporary (Died in 1962) (1962): Swiss physicist, inventor, and pioneer of stratospheric and abyssal exploration.
• Arundhati Roy — Shared historical date (11-24 · Born) (1961): Acclaimed Indian author and vocal human rights activist.
• Baruch Spinoza — Shared historical date (11-24 · Born) (1632): Radical philosopher of the Dutch Golden Age, known for his pantheistic metaphysics.
• A. E. van Vogt — Shared historical date (01-26 · Died) (2000): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Akio Morita — Shared historical date (01-26 · Born) (1921): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
• 1897 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1897
• November 24 (11-24) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 24
• 1962 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1962
• January 26 (01-26) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 26