The Brinks robbery, an infamous 1950 heist in Boston’s North End, captivated the nation and baffled the FBI. It was the largest robbery in American history up to that time.
Brinks Robbery
- WCVB has photos from the Brinks crime scene and investigation
- A summary of the case from the FBI.
- A WGBH interview focusing on the role of “Specs” O’Keefe.
- As promised, The Great Muppet Caper, which Nikki feels is related.
- Below, more diagrams of how the crime unfolded.
This Week in Boston History
- October 16, 1774: Abigail Adams worries about the war she feels is now inevitable.
- October 17, 1860: The Prince of Wales visits Boston. (An embarrassing poem written for the occasion.)
- October 18, 1773: Formerly enslaved poet Phillis Wheatley writes to a friend that she has been freed.
- October 19, 1741: The Independent Corps of Cadets is organized in Boston. Hear more in our episode about the Corps.
- October 20, 1908: The Charles River Dam is closed, see a photo of the ceremony.
- October 21, 1835: “Respectable gentlemen” riot in favor of slavery and attack William Lloyd Garrison.
- October 22, 1881: The Boston Symphony Orchestra performs for the first time.