Al Capone, the notorious American gangster and prohibition-era crime boss, continues to captivate the public’s imagination with his larger-than-life persona. In this captivating article, we delve into the life and crimes of Al Capone, uncovering 20 fascinating facts that shed light on his rise to power and the legacy he left behind. From his early days in Brooklyn to his empire in Chicago, join us as we explore the enigmatic world of Al Capone. Discover the illegal activities that made him a feared figure during the Prohibition era, his lavish lifestyle and influence, and the notorious St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Explore his downfall and the tax evasion charges that ultimately led to his imprisonment. Brace yourself for a glimpse into the dark and intriguing world of Al Capone as we unravel these captivating facts about one of the most infamous gangsters in history.
1-5 Fun Facts About Al Capone
1. Capone’s involvement in a life of crime commenced at an early age when he associated with a delinquent crowd in New York City. By the sixth grade, he had dropped out of school and joined the notorious Five Points Gang.
2. Al Capone’s Chicago gang was estimated to generate approximately $100 million in illegal revenue annually during the Prohibition era. Their activities included bootlegging, prostitution, gambling, and racketeering.
3. During the 1920s, Al Capone amassed an impressive income of around $105 million per year, equivalent to approximately $1.4 billion in today’s currency.
4. Believe it or not, the government seized Capone’s bullet-proof Cadillac. And guess who ended up driving it? None other than President Franklin D. Roosevelt himself! From being a vehicle of a notorious gangster to being used by a US president, this car has seen it all.
5. Believe it or not, infamous American gangster Al Capone played a role in the invention of expiration dates on milk bottles. In the early 20th century, Capone and other gangsters would often tamper with milk bottles to make them appear full when they were half-empty. To combat this, dairies began adding expiration dates to their bottles to ensure customers were getting fresh milk.
6-10 Interesting Facts About Al Capone
6. While working at a bar, Al Capone got his infamous scars after telling a woman, “You got a nice ass,” in front of her brother.
7. The press gave Al Capone the moniker “Scarface” due to the scars on his face, a nickname he despised. Among his friends, he was known as Big Al or Snorky, referring to his sharp sense of style.
8. Interestingly, Capone was quite sensitive about his scars and tried to cover up their origin. He claimed they were from a military injury sustained in France, even though he never actually served.
9. Despite his criminal activities, Capone did have moments of surprising generosity. During the Great Depression, he ran a soup kitchen, providing meals to hundreds of hungry Chicagoans who were struggling to find work. A true contradiction, that Capone.
10. Apparently, Capone had a strange way of showing respect to his fallen enemies. After killing someone, he would order lavish floral arrangements to be sent to their funerals
11-15 Surprising Facts About Al Capone
11. Despite his status as a highly successful organized crime figure, Al Capone possessed a modest IQ of 95.
12. The infamous crime boss once kidnapped renowned jazz musician Fats Waller at gunpoint, compelling him to perform at Capone’s birthday celebration in 1926.
13. Dale Carnegie, a renowned self-improvement author, credited Capone with creating the public image of a successful businessman through his stylish dress and charismatic personality.
14. While Al was busy breaking the law, his brother James Vincenzo Capone took a different path. He actually worked on the right side of the law as a federal agent in Nebraska and even served as a bodyguard to an American president.
15. Capone held a high opinion of himself and openly expressed to the media that his criminal activities were merely a means of supporting his family and providing what he believed to be a “public service” to the people of Chicago, offering them access to alcohol and gambling.
16-20 Shocking Facts About Al Capone
16. Because Capone was not a troublemaker at his Atlanta prison, the Feds most likely sent him to Alcatraz to generate publicity for the new facility.
17. During his time at Alcatraz, Capone faced threats from his adversaries within the prison walls. He sustained injuries when James Lucas, another inmate, attacked him with scissors during a shower incident.
18. Despite the harsh reality of prison life, Capone found solace in music. He loved playing the banjo and guitar and even joined a prison band called The Rock Islanders.
19. The court’s unexpected sentence of eleven and a half years came as a shock to Capone, as he had turned down a government offer and anticipated a mere two-year sentence.
20. At the age of 47, Capone suffered significant mental deterioration due to neurosyphilis, reducing his cognitive abilities to that of a 12-year-old child. He spent his final years in his Florida mansion, rambling about Communists, foreigners, and his unfounded belief that Bugs Moran was plotting his assassination.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading about 20 Insane Al Capone Facts
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