Saint Valentine's Day Massacre

Quick Facts: Who was Saint Valentine's Day Massacre?

Subject:

Saint Valentine's Day Massacre

Known for:

The 1929 gang shooting in Chicago marking a violent peak of Prohibition-era organized crime.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre was the murder of seven members and associates of Chicago's North Side Gang on Saint Valentine's Day 1929. The men were gathered at a Lincoln Park, Chicago, garage when between four and six men entered, two of whom were disguised as police officers. The seven men were lined up facing a wall and shot with Thompson submachine guns and a sawed-off shotgun; seventy rounds were fired from the Thompsons, and one cartridge was fired from the shotgun. Six of the victims died immediately; one lived for a short while but refused to identify the killers. The murders occurred amid the competition for control of organized crime in the city during Prohibition.

Career & Major Achievements

Police and historians have speculated that the murders were an attempt to kill the head of the North Side Gang, George "Bugs" Moran, although he had not arrived by the time the attack started. The North Siders were rivals of the Chicago Outfit, a criminal organization headed by Al Capone, and much of the speculation has focused on whether he was behind the murders. The police, the Illinois Attorney General's office, and the coroner's office all opened investigations into the murders. Calvin Goddard, a pioneer in forensic ballistics set up a lab in Chicago with his team and equipment. Two cars likely to have been involved in the shootings were found; both had been destroyed.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Police arrested several gang members in connection with the shootings, but a lack of evidence meant none were charged. In 1935, Byron Bolton, who had been identified as a possible lookout at the crime, was arrested on unrelated charges. He confessed to being a lookout and said the murderers were Fred Goetz, Gus Winkler, Fred Burke, Ray Nugent and Bob Carey. His accusation was supported by the memoirs of Winkler's widow, Georgette. The accusations have been disputed by some historians who have suggested that "Three Fingered Jack" White and Tony Accardo were involved.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1929: 1929 Milestone — The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre was the murder of seven members and associates of Chicago's North Side Gang on Saint Valentine's Day 1929.
2. 1935: 1935 Milestone — In 1935, Byron Bolton, who had been identified as a possible lookout at the crime, was arrested on unrelated charges.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Saint Valentine's Day Massacre

True or False: “All major criminal conflicts during the Prohibition era were solely due to competition over bootlegging profits.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While bootlegging was central, organized crime pre-dated Prohibition and involved activities like brothel and gambling-house control.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdel Halim Hafez — Historical peer (Born in 1929) (1929): Iconic Egyptian singer and actor, known as 'The Brown-Skinned Nightingale'.
• Adrienne Rich — Historical peer (Born in 1929) (1929): Influential American poet, essayist, and leading voice in feminist literary discourse.
• 14th Dalai Lama — Historical peer (Born in 1935) (1935): Spiritual leader of Tibet and head of Tibetan Buddhism since 1940.
• Abdou Diouf — Historical peer (Born in 1935) (1935): Senegalese politician who served as President of Senegal from 1981 to 2000.

Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Valentine's Day Massacre