Today, of all days, is Albert Anastasia’s birthday.  Yes, on this date in 1902.  Born under the sign of Libra.  Probably fickle.    But nonetheless, he was one of the most ruthless and feared Cosa Nostra mobsters in American history.

This bad dude was a founder of the American Mafia.  Seriously.   Anastasia ran Murder, Inc. during the prewar era and was boss of the modern Gambino crime family during most of the 1950s.  I, am not kidding about that one either.

Anastasia died in what was probably the most sensational assassination in mob history.  Crime doesn’t pay, I guess.

After an illustrious and colorful career as a mobster… like the biggest, baddest, most powerful gangsta of his time….  he met a rather untimely, and violent demise.

On the morning of October 25, 1957, Anastasia entered the barber shop of the Park Sheraton Hotel.  It is in  Midtown Manhattan.

Like any good gangster, he had a bodyguard.  So…..Anastasia’s bodyguard parked the car in an underground garage and then took a walk outside…. probably to have a smoke.  He left Anastasia unprotected.

As Anastasia relaxed in the barber chair, two men, with scarves covering their faces, rushed in to the shop.  They shoved the barber out of the way, and fired at Anastasia.

After the first volley of bullets, Anastasia allegedly lunged at his killers.  “ARRGGGGHHHHH.”  (He probably said.)  Or maybe  “@#$%#$%%*@@!!! ARRRGGGGHHHHH.”

Anyway, the stunned Anastasia had actually attacked the gunmen’s reflections in the wall mirror of the barber shop. The gunmen continued firing and Albert Anastasia finally fell to the floor, dead.  As a doornail.    His assailants still looked fetching in their scarves, I might add.

His murder generated a tremendous amount of public interest and sparked a high profile police investigation. No one was ever charged in this case.

Over time, speculation on who killed Anastasia has centered on Profaci crime family mobster Joe Gallo, the Patriarca crime family of Providence, Rhode Island, and certain drug dealers with the Gambino family.  Who put the hit on?  The likes of you and I will probably never know.  It is better that way.  I think.

The strangest thing…. the Libra Horoscope for that particular day read:  Expect big surprises today.  You may get a visit from unexpected guests.  Things may not appear as they really are.   This is probably not the best time to make any big decisions.  Probably not the best day for a haircut.  (New York Post)