Here’s a brief look back in time on this day, March 21.
In 1804, the Napoleonic Code is ratified in France. It served as a complete redraw of French legislature within the fields of civil, criminal, and commercial law. Some of the more notorious laws include the removal of most individual rights for women; the reintroduction of slavery; and the abolishment of mutual divorce.
In 1943, one out of many assassination attempts on German dictator Adolf Hitler failed when a bomb that was meant to explode in the plane he was in didn’t detonate. The plan was drafted from within Hitler’s own military, where disgruntled high ranking officials attempted around 40 times to assassinate the Fuhrer over the course of World War II. From poisoning to shooting, conspiracies within the Third Reich had failed time and again. There was one that came pretty close; in July 1944, Wehrmacht officers planted plastic bombs in a briefcase that was being brought into the Wolf’s Den, which was one of Hitler’s primary base of operations. It went according to plan, with the officer successfully and subtly planting the suitcase next to Hitler’s legs. However, one of his aides moved the suitcase behind a table leg, not knowing that it was rigged to blow. The suitcase exploded, killing that same aide along with two others. Hitler only suffered minor injuries: a major setback since the Gestapo was already hunting for the alleged conspirators, which was believed to be in the hundreds.
In 1961, a mass security prison located on an isolated island off San Francisco closes. This prison, known as Alcatraz Island, housed some of America’s infamous criminals, including Al Capone, George Barnes (aka “Machine Gun Kelly”), and Doc Barker. These were only three out of around 1600 inmates that were locked up on “The Rock”. It was also known for its series of breakouts, including one where six inmates gained access to the weapons room. Three inmates and two federal officers were killed in the hysteria, which prompted the U.S. Marines to intervene. The prison was closed due to structural issues and the high upkeep costs. It now operates as a museum open to the public, with the only way to gain access is via its city cruise ships.