1920s
January 16, 1920 - After passing as law the previous year, Prohibition went into effect in 1920. This made the making of, sales, possession or transportation of alcohol a crime in the United States. Immediately, hundreds of street hoods began to fill the vacuum. It would become the largest period of growth for the mob.It was also the most violent as gangs killed each in the streets of New York and Chicago on a daily basis.
January 1925 - In the midst of a violent war between the Northside Gang and the Southside Gang in Chicago, Southside leader Johnny Torrio is shot but survives. The shaken boss steps down and makes his right hand man Al Capone the new boss. Capone would go on to become the richest boss ever, and one of the most violent.
February 14, 1929 - Capone’s gang carries out the most infamous mafia ambush of all time, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Seven Northside gangsters are gunned down after a police raid, but it turned out the cops were Capone’s gang. They lined the seven gangsters up against the wall and sprayed them with machine gun fire, essentially putting an end to the Northside Gang. It would also be the start of a massive federal investigation on Capone.
1930s
March 13, 1931 - Al Capone is charged with 22 counts of tax evasion. Capone attempted a plea bargain but the judge threw it out and the case went to a trial. Later that year, he was convicted on 5 of the charges and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Capone did part of his sentence in Alcatraz where he was stabbed. Capone’s health quickly deteriorated due to syphilis.
April 15, 1931 - Joe “The Boss” Masseria is invited to a Coney Island restaurant by his lieutenant Charles “Lucky” Luciano. After a delicious meal, Lucky excused himself to use the restroom, at which time Albert Anastasia, Vito Genovese and “Bugsy” Siegel burst in and killed Masseia. This ended the Castellammarese War, and began Luciano’s ascent to the top.
September 10, 1931 - In a move that seals his New York takeover, Luciano has the boss of bosses, Salvatore Maranzano murdered. Maranzano was the arch enemy of Masseria and considered an aged “Mustache Pete” style boss who would never let the mob reach its true capabilities. Lucky went on to create the Commission and established a five family structure by the end of 1931.
December 5, 1933 - Prohibition is officially repealed. By this time, the mafia had diversified its earning streams. Even with the loss of bootlegging, they still had labor racketeering, loansharking, bookmaking, drug trafficking and a host of other rackets. Some of the old school prohibition gangsters faded out but the Italian mafia kept prospering.
October 23, 1935 - Arthur Fleggenheimer aka “Dutch Schultz” is shot and killed. Dutch was a massively influential bootlegger who became a target of FBI special prosecutor Thomas Dewey. Scultz decided he was going to have Dewey killed. When he presented his idea to Luciano and Meyer Lansky, they turned it down. Dutch said he would do it without them, he was killed days later.
June 7, 1936 - Lucky Luciano was convicted of pandering in connection with a large prostitution ring. Many doubted the validity of witness statements, but Lucky was given a 30 year sentence. After helping the US military with intelligence, his sentence was commuted, but he was then deported back to Italy. Luciano soon took up headquarters in Havana, Cuba.
October 10, 1938 - After exhausting his appeals, Lucky Luciano officially steps down as family boss. He names the very capable Frank Costello as the new boss. One person very unhappy about the choice was former acting boss Vito Genovese, who was on the lam in Italy. Genovese was eager to make his move but it would be almost a decade before he returned to the United States.
1940s
November 12, 1941 - The body of Abe “Kid Twist” Reles is found six stories below the window to his room at the Half Moon Hotel in Coney Island. Reles had been under 24/7 police protection because he was a former Murder Inc. hitman who had been testifying against his partners. Reles helped to put seven Murder Inc. members in the electric chair, and was soon to testify against Anastasia, who got away.
June 10, 1946 - After beating a murder charge, Vito Genovese is back in New York. Recognizing the threat of Genovese, Costello does not give him a spot in the Luciano Family hierarchy. Genovese would have had Costello killed right then, but Costello was very well protected and one of the most influential men in the mafia. Vito started biding his time.
December 20-26 1946 - Luciano calls for a conference with all of the mafia bosses around the country. It was held in Havana, Cuba. They discussed mafia politics. Luciano ordered Genovese to stand down in a tense private meeting. Another subject was the floundering Las Vegas mobster Bugsy Siegel, who blew millions of the mafia’s dollars. His fate was sealed after the Havana Conference.
January 25, 1947 - After years of struggling with the effects of syphilis, Capone had a stroke on January 22 and died 3 days later. Because of the terrible mental and physical condition he was in, he had been granted a compassionate release years earlier. He spent his last years with his family in his Palm Island, Florida mansion.
June 20, 1947 - After failing miserably in his Las Vegas mafia funded Flamingo Hotel skim operation, Bugsy Siegel was killed on the orders of the Commission. The former Murder Inc. hitman was relaxing at the home of his girlfriend Virginia Hill when bullets came firing through the window. The murder was never solved and many speculate that Hill may have been in on the setup.
1950s
April 1951 - Mangano Family boss Vincent “The Executioner” Mangano disappears and soon his brother Philip is murdered. The killing was ordered by his underboss Albert Anastasia, who grew bored of his position and tired of dealing with Mangano, who he looked down on. The killings caused dissention in the Commission but no one made a move on Anastasia for several years.
March 8, 1952 - The murder of Arnold Schuster shocks the nation. Scuster was a citizen who turned in famous bank robber Willie Sutton. Schuster’s eyes were shot out. The killing was ordered by none other than Anastasia, who was disgusted by the story. This caused more unease with the other bosses, but again, no one was crazy enough to take on Anastasia at this time.
May 2, 1957 - A hulking young hood named Vincent “The Chin” Gigante shoots Frank Costello, the boss of the Luciano Family. The shooting was ordered by Vito Genovese, the disgruntled former acting boss who was making a move to take over the family. It worked, as Costello not only stepped down, but then failed to identify his shooter to the police.
October 25, 1957 - After being involved in the deaths of hundreds of men, Anastasia himself met mafia justice. As “The Lord High Executioner” settled in for a shave at the Park Sheraton, two masked shooters burst in and emptied their guns into the feared mob boss, killing him on sight. It is believed that the two masked men were “Crazy Joe” Gallo and Carmine “The Snake” Persico. Carlo Gambino then took over the family.
November 14, 1957 - The heads of the American mafia in all major cities were called to a meeting by the ambitious new boss of bosses, Vito Genovese. The summit took place in Apalachin, New York. Local law enforcement quickly noticed the fancy cars and well dressed mob bosses rolling into town. Dozens of them were arrested and charged with conspiracy.
April 4, 1959 - Vito Genovese is convicted of narcotics trafficking. After the Apalachin debacle, no one was feeling bad for Vito. In fact, it is widely believed that Vito was set up for the fall by none other than Lucky Luciano. Genovese continued to call the shots from behind bars, and ordered at least four murders over the next couple years.
1960s
February 27, 1961 - In a bold move, the crew of “Crazy Joe” Gallo abducts four of Joe Profaci’s men, including his underboss. They wanted a bigger piece of the family rackets in return for the hostages. Profaci agreed but after the release of the four men, Profaci reneged on his promise and a family war was underway. Luckily for Profaci, Joey Gallo was sent to prison that same year.
January 26, 1962 - Lucky Luciano, the brilliant mastermind who created the American mafia, dies of a heart attack. He had been working on a film about his life before his passing. When his body was sent back to New York for burial, over 2,000 people showed up to mourn the fallen mob boss. Carlo Gambino delivered the eulogy for his friend Lucky.
October 1963 - Joe Valachi, a Genovese Family soldier, becomes the first made man to ever testify about the mafia. He discussed the mafia structure, its initiation ritual and some past murders. His testimony before a committee did not lead to any convictions but he gave the government and the American people an inside look at this mythical organization.
November 23, 1963 - The country is shocked when president John F. Kennedy is assassinated while his motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. The shooter Lee Harvey is then shot while being transported by police by Jack Ruby. Ruby had heavy ties to the mafia and although the Warren Commission decided that he acted alone, many people to this day feel the mafia was responsible for the Kennedy assassination.
January 30, 1968 - A car bomb blows off the leg of attorney John Fitzgerald, who was representing Boston mob turncoat Joe “The Animal” Barboza. Barboza was a freelance hitman who had done work for the New England mafia. Barboza told a ton of lies, and as a result, several men were convicted of crimes including murders that they did not commit.
February 14, 1969 - Vito Genovese dies in a Missouri prison hospital after suffering a heart attack.Philip Lombardo was named new boss. In a move that the Genovese Family would continue to use for decades, they established a “front boss” position to insulate their leader.
1970s
October 5, 1970 - The Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) is put into law. RICO was designed as a way to tie the mafia bosses to the street crimes that they profited from. This would be the most effective law ever used against organized crime, but it would be over a decade from when it became law before RICO was unleashed on the mafia.
June 28, 1971 - Colombo Family boss Joe Colombo is shot at Italian Unity Day with thousands in attendance. Colombo had been heavily involved in an Italian civil rights movement, which caused unwanted attention and irked his fellow bosses. Some blamed “Crazy Joe” Gallo for the shooting that paralyzed Colombo, but it was never solved and the shooter was killed immediately. Carmine Persico emerges as the new boss.
April 7, 1972 - The fearless Colombo Family rogue “Crazy Joe” Gallo is killed inside Umberto’s Clam House in Little Italy. Gallo had been a nightmare for the Colombo hierarchy and this hit was a long time coming. It was Gallo who sparked the first two Colombo Family wars. It’s rumored that his old friend and fellow Anastasia shooter Carmine Persico was the one who ordered the hit on Gallo.
May 22, 1973 - Irish mobster James McBratney is shot and killed inside of a Staten Island nightclub by John Gotti, Angelo Ruggiero and Ralph Gallione. It was a rather reckless killing and Gotti ended up serving 4 years for the crime. This killing would lead to his becoming a made man. McBratney had kidnapped and killed the nephew of Carlo Gambino. The hit was a personal favor to Carlo.
June 19, 1975 - Sam Giancane killed
July 30, 1975 - Controversial Teamsters Union ex president Jimmy Hoffa disappeared. Many stories have been told about Hoffa’s fate over the years, the most likely one is that he was killed by Anthony “Tony Pro” Provenzano’s men. Tony Pro was a Genovese Family capo in New Jersey who had a habit of murdering his union enemies. Hoffa was meeting Tony Pro on the day of his disappearance.
October 15, 1976 - Carlo Gambino dies from a heart attack. Before his death, he made a rare bad move that shocked and angered many in the family. He named his cousin Paul Castellano new boss, snubbing his longtime underboss Neil Dellacroce. This nearly made the family erupt in a civil war, but it was Dellacroce himself who eased tensions and ordered his faction to stand down.
December 11, 1978 - This was the date of the infamous Lufthansa Heist, masterminded by Lucchese associate Jimmy Burke. The heist was made famous in Goodfellas. Over $5,800,000 was stolen, which would equal $23 million in today’s dollars. At least 9 people were murdered in the aftermath to cover up the crime. John Gotti played a bit role in the heist and received $200,000 for his efforts.
July 12, 1979 - Bonanno Family acting boss and major heroin trafficker Carmine “The Cigar” Galante and two associates were killed. Gunmen stormed into the patio area of Joe & Mary’s Italian Restaurant where they were enjoying a hearty lunch. This was a Commission sanctioned hit, as Galante was making a power play to become boss of bosses. He was found with his trademark cigar in his mouth at the death scene.
1980s
March 18, 1980 - John Gotti’s 12 year old son Frank is run over on his bike and killed in an accident. The driver who had killed Frank was a neighbor named John Favara. Four months later, Favara was abducted and murdered. Some say Gotti had Favara held until he returned from his Florida trip and tortured Favara personally before killing him.
March 21, 1980 - Philadelphia mafia Angelo Bruno is killed by a shotgun blast to the head as he sat in his car near his South Philly home. “The Gentle Don” Bruno was known as a mediator who rarely relied on violence. His killing would set the table for a bloody street war as people moved in to seize Angelo’s spot. To this day, the Philadelphia mafia is still known by most as The Bruno Family.
April 18, 1980 - The man responsible for Angelo Bruno’s murder, Antonio “Tony Bananas” Caponigro is killed by mafia freelance hitman Joe “Mad Dog” Sullivan. He was Bruno’s capo and furious that Bruno let New York mobsters deal narcotics in Philadelphia, but not his own family. Caponigro thought he had approval for the hit, but when called before the Commission, he was shunned and killed.
March 15, 1981 - After the killings of Angelo Bruno and Tony Bananas, Philip “Chicken Man” Testa became Bruno Family boss in Philadelphia. Testa had one of the shortest reigns in history, and it came to a horrific ending via a nail bomb under his porch. It was at this point that Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo seized power. His time as boss would be among the most violent ever seen in the mafia.
May 5, 1981 - After a war broke out between two family factions, Bonanno captains “Sonny Red” Indelicato, “Big Trin” Trinchera and Philip Giaccone were killed. The three capos were lured to a meeting where they were ambushed on sight. It was Bonanno captain Dominick “Sonny Black” Napolitano and Joey Massino who set up the triple murder.
July 26 1981 - The FBI ends a 6 year undercover investigation with agent Joe Pistone who posed as jewel thief “Donnie Brasco”. Pistone was able to deeply penetrate the Bonanno Family to the point where if the operation had gone on much longer, Donnie Brasco would have become a made man. The operation was halted after Pistone was given a murder contract.
August 17, 1981 - Sonny Black was killed for endorsing Brasco. Brasco’s immediate superior Benjamin “Lefty Guns” Ruggiero was saved when the FBI arrested him on August 29th. The mafia put a $500,000 contract on Pistone’s life, which was later supposedly retracted. Pistone’s testimony would lead to over 100 convictions and get the Bonanno Family kicked off the Commission for insubordination.
February 25, 1985 - The heads of all five New York families are charged with various racketeering, narcotics and murder charges. In a crippling blow to the mafia, they all received life sentences. The only two that didn’t were Paul Castellano who was killed, and Chin Gigante who had fooled authorities into believing “Fat Tony” Salerno was the real Genovese boss.
December 15, 1985 - Gambino Family underboss and John Gotti’s mentor Neil Dellacroce dies of cancer. Gambino boss Paul Castellano offends many in the family by not attending the services. Dellacroce was the only person holding Gotti back from making a move on “Big Paul” but now he was gone. Gotti builds support in the family but does not go to the Commission for permission to act.
December 16, 1985 - Castellano and newly appointed underboss Tommy Bilotti are ambushed outside of Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan. Paul had been completely distracted by his legal problems to recognize the plot that had been formed. Gotti quickly took over the family right away. This made massive headlines that kept Gotti in the news for the next several years.
April 3, 1986 - Gotti’s underboss and co-conspirator in the Castellano hit Frank DeCicco was killed in a car bomb. The murder was ordered by Lucchese boss Vic Amuso and his underboss Anthony “Gaspipe” Casso. Also in on the plot was Chin Gigante. The target was Gotti and the reason for the hit was revenge for the unsanctioned killing of Castellano and Bilotti.
June 14, 1986 - After over a decade as the Chicago Outfit’s main player in Las Vegas, Tony Spilotro’s time ran out. As his legal troubles mounted, the Outfit worried that he might play ball with the FBI, especially with the defection of his lieutenant Frank Cullotta. Tony and his brother Michael were summoned to a meeting under the pretense of Michael being made, instead they were brutally beaten to death.
November 1988 - Philadelphia boss Nicky Scarfo and 16 others are charged with racketeering and 10 murders. Scarfo’s allies quickly started cooperating. The big hit came when Scarfo’s nephew and underboss “Crazy Phil” Leonetti agreed to testify against his uncle. At the time, this was the highest ranking mafiosi to ever turn witness, and it crushed Scarfo and crew.
1990s
December 11, 1990 - Gotti, Gravano and Gambino consigliere Frank LoCascio are arrested by federal agents after a raid on the infamous Ravenite Social Club. Although Gotti maintained his smirking arrogance, this was not like the other cases. Gotti had been caught on wiretaps confessing to murders, and implicating Gravano in multiple murders. This would be the downfall of “The Teflon Don”.
June 21, 1991 - Acting Colombo boss Vic Orena spots gunmen waiting nearby his home. He was in a battle for control of the family with imprisoned boss Carmine Persico. This incident would ignite the third and most deadly Colombo Family war, with at least 13 people killed over the next few months. When it ended, Persico remained in charge but the Colombos were kicked off the Commission.
November 13, 1991 - After hearing and digesting the tapes of Gotti, Sammy Gravano decides to cooperate with the FBI. This sent a virtual shockwave through the New York underworld. In March, he testified against Gotti and LoCascio. Gravano for his cooperation would be set free in 1994, even with his admission to involvement in 19 murders.
June 23, 1992 - Gotti and LoCascio were convicted and given life sentences. Gotti was fully intent on remaining boss for the rest of his life. He named his son John Jr. acting boss and continued to call the shots from behind bars. The Gambino Family by this time, was now a crumbling empire as Gravano and other turncoats continued to put their members behind bars.
July 25, 1997 - After decades of beating the law with his crazy “Oddfather” act, Chin Gigante is convicted of racketeering and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Sammy “The Bull” Gravano testified that Gigante was fully coherent and sane when they integrated at a Commission meeting years before. He later pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice charges.
2000s
June 10, 2002 - John Gotti Sr. dies in a prison hospital at 61 years old after battling throat cancer for his last four years of life. He prided himself as an old school stand up mobster until the very end who would never turn his back on La Cosa Nostra. He had named John Jr. acting boss when he went to prison, but now the boss would be his brother Peter Gotti.
July 30, 2004 - Legendary Bonanno boss Joe Massino is convicted on murder and racketeering charges. Massino, who could have faced the death penalty for his crimes quickly offered to turn government witness, and his offer was accepted. Massino is the highest ranking mobster to ever cooperate. After testifying against his old associates, he was released in July 2012.
December 19, 2005 - The longtime boss of the Genovese Family Vincent “The Chin” Gigante passes away of natural causes in a Missouri prison hospital. Back in the 1990s, Chin had named Liborio Bellomo as acting boss. Bellomo continued in that position after Chin’s death. Bellomo became recognized as the boss of the Genovese Family, although no one can point to a time when he was officially given the spot.
2010s
January 10, 2018 - Chin Gigante’s son Vincent Esposito and 4 other Genovese Family associates were charged with extortion, conspiracy and labor racketeering. When Esposito’s home was raided, agents found $3,800,000 in cash and some unregistered weapons. Like John Gotti Jr, Esposito also had a written list of official mafia members which was found.
March 7, 2019 - After ruling the volatile Colombo Family for over four decades, Carmine “The Snake” Persico dies of natural causes. He was 85 years old and had spent the last three decades in prison. His family had been almost decimated by the losses of the third family war. It’s believed that his son Alphonse “Allie Boy” Persico is the new boss, even as he serves a life sentence.
March 13, 2019 - Gambino Family acting boss Frank “Franki Boy” Cali is shot to death outside his own house. Lots of speculation pointed to Gene Gotti as the man responsible. John Sr.’s brother had just been released after three decades in prison for heroin trafficking. The rumor was that the Gotti family was back in power. Turns out, it was a disturbed young man who was involved in a domestic dispute with Cali who killed him.