Mafia History
The Mafia originated from this small island off the coast of Italy.
Sicily
The most profitable of the Five Families, many of their leaders meet a violent end at the hand of their successor. That is except for their most famous boss, John Gotti.
Gambino Crime Family
Often confused with the code of silence, Omerta only refers to interactions with this classic enemy of the Mafia.
The police
This man is credited with the formation of both the Five Families of NYC and the nation-wide Mafia Commission.
"Lucky" Luciano
After formally joining the Mafia, you are known as one of these men, and can enjoy privileges like a status of untouchability, protection for loved ones should anything happen to you and the ability to run independent crime rackets with the backing of the family
"Made" men
Benito Mussolini
The youngest of the Five Families, this clan derives their name from a 1970s leader who established the Italian American Civil Rights League in response to the RICO Act.
Colombo Crime Family
Not typically an organization of many rules, the Mafia does not allow the kidnapping of this class of people, fearing it will attract too much attention to the organization
Public figures or civilians
This Chicago mobster is famous for his callous violence in incidents like the St. Valentine's day massacre; and his generosity and altrusim in instances like the Lindbergh Kidnapping and getting expiry dates put on milk bottles.
Al "Scarface" Capone
The only way to formally join the Mafia is for a member to ________________. It is not possible to apply to be "made"
Pick you
Russia
This family, famously featured in Goodfellas, derives their name from a boss missing several fingers and famously completed the largest cash heist in American history by robbing Lufthansa Airlines at JFK International Airport
Lucchese Family
'Till death do you part, this most important person in your life is not allowed to know anything about your "business ventures" and is expected to accept long hours and sketchy situations by looking the other way.
Your wife
Known as the "Dapper Don" for his flashy attire and the "Teflon Don" for his long list of acquittals, this mobsters luck ran out in 1992 when he was imprisoned, leaving his son to (allegedly) run the Gambino crime family
John Gotti
During the initiation process, cards containing images of these prominent Catholic figures are burned to represent the fate of anyone who dares betray the family
Saints
This family has a history of rats; famously the victims of the "Donnie Brasco" investigation by the FBI, in 2004 their boss Joseph "The Ear" Massino became the first Five Families "don" to turn government witness
Bonnano Crime Family
This mobster gained notoriety for participating in the Lufthansa Heist of JFK, something the public only became aware of when his story was turned into the Martin Scorsese classic "Goodfellas"
Henry Hill
The knife and the gun
This revolutionary, focused on Italian unification, is believed to have included his name in the acronym that would give the Mafia it's name.
Giuseppe Mazzini
Run by bosses ranging from "Lucky" Luciano to Vincent "The Oddfather" Gigante, this family helped form the Five Families and the Commission and is the oldest crime family still operating in NYC
Genovese Family
The Mafia does not typically discriminate in how they make money, but this type of illicit business is (was) off-limits for the Mafia to engage in until recently.
Drug dealing
Known as "The Oddfather" this boss of the Genovese family was known to roam the streets in a robe and mutter to himself in order to avoid prosecution for his crimes, a scheme that would work until his conviction in 2002
Vincent Gigante
During the initiation ceremony, you will be pricked on this finger, representing the blood oath you are taking to join La Cosa Nostra