March Mob Calendar of Events
March is the month Frank Nitti chose death over prison, Angelo Bruno was shot in the back of the head outside his own home, and Frank Cali became the first New York mob boss to be murdered in over 30 years. It is also the birth month of Vincent Gigante — the Chin who wandered his neighbourhood in a bathrobe for decades. Click any date below to read the full account.
Key dates this month: March 12 — Joe Petrosino assassinated | March 13 — Frank Cali murdered | March 19 — Frank Nitti dies | March 21 — Angelo Bruno shot dead | March 29 — Vincent Gigante born
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March in Mob History — Key Events
March 19, 1943 was the day Frank Nitti chose to end his own life rather than face prison. Al Capone’s feared enforcer and successor as boss of the Chicago Outfit had been indicted on federal extortion charges relating to a Hollywood studio shakedown. Knowing that a return to prison was inevitable — and that the mob might arrange for him not to survive it — Nitti walked to a Chicago railroad yard and shot himself. He was one of the most feared men in America. His ending was solitary and desperate.
March 12, 1909 saw the assassination of Joe Petrosino — the legendary NYPD detective who had spent his career fighting the Black Hand in New York’s Italian community. He had travelled secretly to Palermo to gather intelligence on criminals who had emigrated to America. The Sicilian Mafia discovered his presence and shot him dead in broad daylight in the Piazza Marina. He remains the only NYPD officer ever killed on foreign soil in the line of duty.
March 21, 1980 brought the murder of Angelo Bruno — the Gentle Don, boss of the Philadelphia crime family for over 20 years. Shot in the back of the head outside his South Philadelphia home, Bruno’s killing triggered one of the bloodiest internal wars in American Mafia history as the Philadelphia family tore itself apart in the years that followed.
March 13, 2019 produced the most shocking mob headline in decades — the murder of Frank Cali, boss of the Gambino crime family, outside his Staten Island home. It was the first killing of a New York mob boss in over 30 years. Uniquely, it turned out to have no mob motive whatsoever.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Frank Nitti die?
Frank Nitti died on March 19, 1943, by suicide near a Chicago railroad yard. Facing federal prison and fearing what the mob might do to him inside, Nitti chose to take his own life. He was Al Capone’s enforcer and successor as boss of the Chicago Outfit.
When was Angelo Bruno killed?
Angelo Bruno was shot dead on March 21, 1980, outside his South Philadelphia home. Known as the Gentle Don, his murder after 20 years as Philadelphia boss triggered a bloody internal war within the family that lasted for years.
When was Frank Cali killed?
Frank Cali — boss of the Gambino family — was shot dead on March 13, 2019, outside his Staten Island home. It was the first killing of a New York mob boss in over 30 years. The murder turned out to have no organised crime motive.
When was Vincent Gigante born?
Vincent Gigante was born on March 29, 1928, in Manhattan. Known as the Chin, he became boss of the Genovese crime family and famously feigned mental illness for decades — wandering his neighbourhood in a bathrobe — to avoid prosecution. He died in prison in 2005.
When was Joe Petrosino killed?
Joe Petrosino was assassinated on March 12, 1909, in Palermo, Sicily. The NYPD detective had travelled secretly to Italy to gather intelligence on criminals. He remains the only NYPD officer ever killed on foreign soil in the line of duty.
Further Reading — Mob History
Want to go deeper into the stories behind these dates? These are the essential books on organised crime history.
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