Valentines Day Massacre

Gangland violence in Chicago captured headlines and attention across the nation the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 14, 1929, and fueled rumors in Butler County. The crime later was called "the most spectacular of the decade in Chicago." There were more than 500 gangland murders in the Windy City in the 1920s.

The 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre took the lives of seven men by machine-gun and shotgun fire at about 10:30 a.m. in a garage at 2122 North Clark Street in Chicago. The mass shooting climaxed a struggle for control of Chicago's North Side. It pitted the powerful gang of Al Capone against the faltering group led by George (Bugs) Moran. Capone ordered his lieutenants to annihilate the entire Moran gang -- and they almost did it. Moran and two other gang members approached the garage, but fled when they believed police were raiding the building.

Moran had been lured to the massacre site by the prospect of buying bonded whisky. At stake was the security of Capone's illicit liquor business, estimated at more than $60 million a year by federal authorities. The killings solidified the 30-year-old Capone's control over the Chicago whisky trade and other criminal activities.

The Chicago crime still dominated conversations four days later when three strange men checked into the Anthony Wayne Hotel at High Street and Monument Avenue in Hamilton. They aroused suspicion by arriving in an expensive car with Illinois license plates and asking for the hotel's highest priced room.

Who were these mystery men and why did they come to Hamiltion, Ohio?

What connection did other notorious gangsters like John Dillinger have to this area?

Dillinger and Capone were the 'Original' Original Gangstas. How 'Gangsta' are you?

Bet you didn't know Mr. Kelly is related to a notorious 20s gangster either.

Why?

I am a soldier;
serving proudly, standing tall.
I fight for freedom, yours and mine,
by answering this call.
I do my job while knowing,
the thanks it sometimes lacks.
Say a prayer that I come home,
its me that's got your back

-a poem by Autumn Parker

Who's got your back? Who do you turn to when you really need a helping hand? Your friends? Your family?

Article 10 of President Wilson's League of Nations called for mutual defense by the signers of the treaty and a pledge that all members would "respect and preserve... the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all the Members." In effect the memebers of the League of Nations swore to 'have each others backs.'

Critics felt that Article 10 could unconstitutionally lead the US into a war without the consent of Congress. They feared that the United States might be dragged into another conflict costing hundreds of thousands of American lives. They wanted a return to isolationism.

After looking at both sides of the issue what would you have done? Would you have supported joining the League? Why or why not?

What are the '8 Rules of Fight Club?' How was Wilson's club different? What did critics think of his ideas?

Did the United States actually join?  League of Nations Song