Origins & Early Life

Raymond Lee Washington (August 14, 1953 – August 9, 1979) was an American gangster, known as the founder of the Crips gang in Los Angeles. Washington formed the Crips as a minor street gang in the late 1960s in South Los Angeles, becoming a prominent local crime boss. In 1971, Washington formed an alliance with Stanley "Tookie" Williams, establishing the Crips as the first major African-American street gang in Los Angeles, and served as one of the co-leaders. In 1974, Washington was convicted of robbery and received a five-year prison sentence, during which his leadership and influence in the Crips declined.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

On August 9, 1979, Raymond Washington was murdered in a drive-by shooting shortly after his release from prison. Raymond Lee Washington was born in Los Angeles, California, on August 14, 1953, the youngest of four sons to Violet Samuel and Reginald Cecil Washington. His parents separated when he was two years old, and he was raised by his mother and stepfather. He grew up on East 76th Street, between Wadsworth Avenue and Central Avenues in Los Angeles' South Central. Washington had a half-brother, Derard S.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Barton, from his mother's second marriage...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Ahmad Shah Massoud — Contemporary (Born in 1953) (1953): Afghan military leader, known as the "Lion of Panjshir", fought against foreign occupations.
• Alex Gibney — Contemporary (Born in 1953) (1953): Acclaimed American documentary filmmaker known for investigative works on power and belief.
• Andrew Wiles — Contemporary (Born in 1953) (1953): English mathematician renowned for proving Fermat's Last Theorem.
• Aaliyah — Contemporary (Born in 1979) (1979): Pioneering R&B artist known for redefining urban pop and hip hop sounds.
• Adam Brody — Contemporary (Born in 1979) (1979): American actor known for roles in The O.C., Shazam!, and StartUp.
• Agostinho Neto — Contemporary (Died in 1979) (1979): Angolan communist revolutionary, poet, and first President of Angola.
• Bertolt Brecht — Shared historical date (08-14 · Died) (1956): Pioneering German playwright and poet, master of epic theatre techniques.
• Bob Johnston — Shared historical date (08-14 · Died) (2015): Pioneering American record producer celebrated for shaping the careers of Dylan, Cash, and Cohen.
• Alexandre Alexeieff — Shared historical date (08-09 · Died) (1982): Russian-born artist, filmmaker, and illustrator known for inventing the pinscreen technique.
• Amedeo Avogadro — Shared historical date (08-09 · Born) (1776): Pioneering Italian scientist known for Avogadro's law on gas volumes and molecular theory.
• 1953 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1953
• August 14 (08-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 14
• 1979 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1979
• August 9 (08-09) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on August 9