Tag Archives: 1992

2 April 1992

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In New York, Mafia boss John Gotti is convicted of murder and racketeering and is later sentenced to life in prison.

John Gotti, also known as “The Teflon Don” and “The Dapper Don,” was a notorious American mobster who rose to prominence as the boss of the Gambino crime family, one of the five Mafia families in New York City. Born on October 27, 1940, in the Bronx, New York, Gotti became involved in organized crime at a young age.

Gotti’s rise within the Gambino crime family began in the 1970s when he aligned himself with the influential mobster Aniello Dellacroce. Through his connections and ruthlessness, Gotti quickly climbed the ranks, eventually becoming a capo in the Gambino family.

However, Gotti’s ascent to power was marked by violence and treachery. He was implicated in various criminal activities, including extortion, loan sharking, illegal gambling, and drug trafficking. Despite his involvement in these illicit activities, Gotti managed to evade conviction for many years, earning him the nickname “The Teflon Don” due to his ability to escape legal repercussions.

In 1985, Gotti orchestrated the assassination of Paul Castellano, the then-boss of the Gambino crime family, in a brazen act that shocked the underworld. Following Castellano’s murder, Gotti assumed control of the Gambino family, solidifying his position as one of the most powerful mob bosses in New York City.

During his reign as boss, Gotti became a high-profile figure, often appearing in the media and gaining a reputation for his flamboyant lifestyle and expensive suits, which earned him the nickname “The Dapper Don.” However, his flashy persona also attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies, who intensified their efforts to bring him to justice.

In 1992, Gotti’s luck finally ran out when he was convicted on multiple charges, including murder, racketeering, and conspiracy. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and was incarcerated at the United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois.

John Gotti died on June 10, 2002, at the age of 61, while still serving his life sentence. Despite his imprisonment, Gotti’s legacy continues to fascinate and intrigue people, making him one of the most infamous figures in the history of organized crime in the United States.

22 August 1992

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FBI sniper Lon Horiuchi shoots and kills Vicki Weaver during an 11-day siege at her home at Ruby Ridge, Idaho.

Lon Horiuchi is a former FBI sniper who gained notoriety for his involvement in the Ruby Ridge standoff incident that took place in August 1992 in Idaho, USA. The incident resulted in the death of Vicki Weaver.

The Ruby Ridge standoff began as a confrontation between the Weaver family and federal law enforcement agents. The Weavers, Randy and Vicki Weaver, were a separatist family who held anti-government views and had a history of legal troubles. The situation escalated when Randy Weaver failed to appear in court for weapons charges, and the U.S. Marshals Service issued a warrant for his arrest.

On August 21, 1992, a team of U.S. Marshals accompanied by other federal agents, including Lon Horiuchi, surrounded the Weaver’s remote cabin on Ruby Ridge. Horiuchi was a member of the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team and was tasked with providing sniper support to the law enforcement operation.

During the standoff, a confrontation occurred between the Weavers and law enforcement agents. Lon Horiuchi, positioned at a distance from the cabin, fired a shot that struck and killed Vicki Weaver. She was standing in the cabin’s doorway while holding her infant daughter. The shot that Horiuchi fired was aimed at Randy Weaver, who was also in the doorway, but it hit Vicki instead. This tragic incident further escalated tensions and outrage surrounding the standoff.

The Ruby Ridge incident sparked significant controversy and led to public debate about the use of deadly force by law enforcement, especially in cases involving civilians and nonviolent suspects. The legal aftermath of the incident included charges against Horiuchi, but he was ultimately not prosecuted due to legal complexities surrounding the case and issues related to jurisdiction and immunity.

The Ruby Ridge incident and Lon Horiuchi’s role in it remain a topic of debate and discussion in discussions about government overreach, the use of force by law enforcement, and the rights of individuals in confrontations with the government.

6 March 1992

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The Michelangelo computer virus begins to affect computers.

The Michelangelo computer virus is a notorious virus that was first discovered in 1991. It is named after the famous Italian artist Michelangelo, whose birthday falls on March 6th, which is the activation date of the virus. The virus was designed to infect computers running the DOS operating system, which was common at the time.

The Michelangelo virus was spread through infected floppy disks, which were a popular means of transferring data between computers at the time. Once a computer was infected, the virus would remain dormant until March 6th, at which point it would activate and overwrite critical system files, rendering the computer inoperable.

The virus was particularly dangerous because it could spread quickly and cause significant damage to infected systems. Estimates suggest that up to 5 million computers may have been infected with the virus worldwide.

Although the Michelangelo virus is now considered to be a relic of the past, it serves as a reminder of the importance of computer security and the potential risks associated with malware and other types of cyberattacks. Today, there are many sophisticated tools and strategies available to help protect against such threats, including antivirus software, firewalls, and other security measures.

2 March 1992

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Start of the war in Transnistria.

The war in Transnistria was a conflict that occurred between 1990 and 1992 in the breakaway region of Transnistria, which is located in eastern Moldova.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, tensions rose between the majority ethnic Romanians in Moldova and the minority ethnic Russians and Ukrainians. In Transnistria, which was home to a large Russian-speaking population, a separatist movement emerged that sought to break away from Moldova and join the Russian Federation.

In 1990, the Transnistrian authorities declared independence from Moldova, which led to an armed conflict between the Moldovan government and Transnistrian separatists, who were supported by Russian forces. The fighting continued for two years, until a ceasefire was declared in 1992.

The conflict resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and the displacement of thousands. Today, Transnistria remains a self-declared independent state, but it is not recognized by the international community, and its status remains unresolved.