Origins & Early Life

Meyer Lansky (born Maier Suchowljansky; July 4, 1902 – January 15, 1983) was an American organized crime figure associated with gambling operations and illicit finance in the United States, Cuba, and the Caribbean during the mid-20th century. He was closely linked to Charles "Lucky" Luciano and is frequently described by historians and law-enforcement sources as a key figure in the formation of interethnic criminal cooperation in the United States, including the network later referred to as the National Crime Syndicate. Lansky emerged from New York City’s Jewish underworld in the 1910s and 1920s and became primarily associated with gambling enterprises rather than narcotics trafficking. Contemporary investigations and later historical studies describe him as a financial organizer and intermediary who facilitated cooperation between Jewish and Italian-American crime figures, particularly in gambling and casino operations in Florida, Cuba, and Las Vegas.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The extent of Lansky’s direct ownership interests and managerial control has been the subject of debate, with scholars cautioning that his role has often been exaggerated in popular accounts. Despite decades of scrutiny by federal and...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abe Saperstein — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, revolutionized black basketball.
• Albert Anastasia — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Italian-American mob boss, co-founder of Murder, Inc., and boss of the Gambino crime family.
• Alfred Kastler — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Pioneering physicist known for developing the technique of optical pumping.
• Alfred Tarski — Contemporary (Died in 1983) (1983): Pioneering logician known for model theory and the formal concept of truth.
• Amy Winehouse — Contemporary (Born in 1983) (1983): Iconic British soul artist blending jazz, R&B, and retro sounds.
• Anastasia Davydova — Contemporary (Born in 1983) (1983): Five-time Olympic gold medalist and celebrated coach in Russian synchronized swimming.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Shared historical date (07-04 · Died) (2016): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Alfredo Di Stéfano — Shared historical date (07-04 · Born) (1926): Argentine and Spanish legend, 'The Blond Arrow,' pivotal to Real Madrid's golden era.
• Alexander Gustafsson — Shared historical date (01-15 · Born) (1987): Swedish mixed martial artist known for his elite Light Heavyweight contender status in the UFC.
• Algernon Sidney — Shared historical date (01-15 · Born) (1623): English republican theorist and politician whose works shaped Western thought.
• 1902 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1902
• July 4 (07-04) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 4
• 1983 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1983
• January 15 (01-15) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 15