On this day in the annals of True Crime History, we look back on February 8th.
1587: ⚔️ The Finalization of Mary, Queen of Scots, for Alleged Plotting
On February 8th, 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots, a controversial character deeply involved in political subterfuge and dynastic disputes, met her end. Born in 1542, she ascended to the throne of Scotland when she was only six days old, following her father’s passing. Mary’s early years were marked by a temporary engagement to Prince Edward of England, an arrangement that ignited contention due to differing religious beliefs. She was ultimately dispatched to France, wedding Francis II and becoming the French queen consort at age 16. Following Francis’ death when she was 18, she returned to a Scotland torn by religious factionalism. Her tenure as queen of Scotland was fraught with challenges, highlighted by her marriage to her kin, Lord Darnley. His subsequent murder and her ensuing marriage to the central suspect, the Earl of Bothwell, sparked a major scandal leading to her forced abdication in favor of her baby son, James VI of Scotland (future James I of England). Escaping to England for sanctuary, she became captive to her cousin, Elizabeth I, given her powerful Catholic claim to the English monarchy. Being ensnared in a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth after 19 years of enforced confinement culminated in her unfortunate end, leaving behind a legacy of martyrdom amongst her Catholic followers. Her decapitation was notably bungled, needing three axe strikes to finish the task. ⚖️👑📜
1792: 🍞 The Capital Punishment of James Collington for Burglarizing a Bakery
James Collington met a grim fate on February 8th, 1792, executed for stealing bread and flour from John Campbell’s shelter, a laborer offering public baking services, and a check apron from Susanah Bray, who lived in the same house. At the gallows, he cautioned the other convicts to dodge the path he trod, asserting that starvation propelled him to commit the crime for which he was punished. He seemed eager for death, affirming that he couldn’t survive without resorting to thievery. The harsh penalty for such petty theft was deemed necessary as a means to maintain rule and order, given the severe food shortage in the colony at the time. 🏚️⚖️💔
1799: 🚨 James Reece’s Desperate Bid to Delay the Inevitable
On February 8th, 1799, James Reece was sentenced to hang for an offence involving a sow, an act punishable by death under the stringent moral and legal frameworks of the era. Reece’s instance was particularly noteworthy not just because of the nature of the offence committed, but also his undertakings on the day he was to hang. Having been granted a last-minute reprieve before, Reece desperately tried to swerve his fate by attempting suicide on the morning of his execution. The attempt did not result in his death and was likely borne out of a wish to postpone the inevitable, possibly to plot an escape, rather than a genuine craving for death.
1879: 🏦 Ned Kelly’s Audacious Assault on Jerilderie
Ned Kelly, infamously known for his criminal activities, and his group pulled off one of their most daring heists on February 8th, 1879, setting their sights on the small settlement of Jerilderie. In a deft and intrepid maneuver, they apprehended two police officers, locking them up in their own cells, before proceeding to loot the local bank. This operation not only demonstrated the group’s adept scheming and boldness, but also shed light on Kelly’s intricate rapport with the authorities and his perception of social equity. His proclamation, “I am a widow’s son outlawed and my orders must be obeyed,” underscored his opposition and the resolute determination of a man backed into a corner by circumstances. The raid culminated in the drafting of The Jerilderie Letter, an outlaw’s manifesto that served as a gripping account of Kelly’s grievances against the police and the judicial system, cementing his legacy as one of Australia’s most iconic and debatable figures. 📜🔒💰
1950: 🕵️♂️ The Establishment of the Stasi in East Germany
February 8th, 1950, marked the creation of the Stasi, or “Staatssicherheit,” in East Germany, laying the foundations for one of the world’s most oppressive and feared secret police agencies. The Stasi was infamous for its broad surveillance and spying activities, both within East Germany and beyond its borders. The aim was to stifle dissent and control every facet of the lives of people. Its methods included informants, bugging, and personal surveillance which bred a climate of fear and mistrust among the populace. The agency’s extensive network and ruthless tactics painted it as a representative of the oppressive nature of East German communist rule. The Stasi was dissolved in 1990, in the wake of the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the ensuing reunification of Germany, but its legacy stands as a chilling reminder of the oppressive nature of surveillance and state regulation. 🔍💔
