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Al Capone
Al Capone in 1930
Born Alphonse Gabriel Capone
(1899-01-17)January 17, 1899
New York City, U.S.
Died January 25, 1947(1947-01-25) (aged 48)
Palm Island, Florida, U.S.
Alias(es) Scarface, Big Al, Big Boy, Public Enemy No. 1
Charge(s) Tax evasion
Penalty 11-year sentence in Atlanta U.S. Penitentiary and Alcatraz
Occupation Gangster, bootlegger, racketeer, boss of Chicago Outfit
Spouse
Mae Coughlin
(m. 1918)
Children 1

Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone (January 17, 1899 – January 25, 1947) was an Italian-American gangster. He grew up in Brooklyn and moved to Chicago where he led a crime syndicate (a group of gangsters who run organized crime) in the Prohibition-era that was known as the "Capones." The Capones were known for smuggling and bootlegging liquor in Chicago, Illinois, from around the 1920s until 1931. Capone's organized crime reign ended in 1931, when he was put on trial for federal income tax evasion. Found guilty, Capone was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Capone was released from his sentence in 1939, being very sick. He regained consciousness and caught pneumonia and later had a fatal cardiac arrest. On January 25, 1947, Al Capone suffered a stroke and died in his home, surrounded by his family. Michael Jackson made a song called "Al Capone" for his 1987 album Bad. It was not put on the album. The song was released on the second disc of the 25th Anniversary re-release of Bad.

Al Capone quotes

  • “Be careful who you call your friends. I’d rather have four quarters than one hundred pennies.”
  • “Don't mistake my kindness for weakness. I am kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me.”
  • I am like any other man. All I do is supply a demand."
  • "When I sell liquor, it's bootlegging. When my patrons serve it on a silver tray on Lakeshore Drive, it's hospitality."

Interesting facts about Al Capone

  • Al Capone was nicknamed Scarface.
  • Al had street smarts. He left school in middle school.
  • After dropping out of school, Al Capone joined several different young gangs such as South Brooklyn Rippers, Forty Thieves Juniors, and James Street Boys.
  • Capone worked odd jobs after leaving school and played semi-pro baseball with his brother Ralph.
  • It is believed that Capone organized the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
  • He was among the earliest federal prisoners at Alcatraz.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Al Capone para niños

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