John "Jack" Gilbert Graham (January 23, 1932 – January 11, 1957) was an American mass murderer who, on November 1, 1955, killed 44 people aboard United Airlines Flight 629 near Longmont, Colorado, using a dynamite time bomb. Graham planted the bomb in his mother's suitcase in an apparent move to murder her and claim $37,500 (equivalent to $450,000 in 2025) worth of life insurance money from policies he purchased in the airport terminal just before the flight departure. Graham was convicted of murdering his mother. He was sentenced to death and was executed by the state of Colorado in January 1957.
American plane mass-murderer Jack Gilbert Graham is executed via the Gas Chamber
John "Jack" Gilbert Graham (January 23, 1932 – January 11, 1957) was an American mass murderer who, on November 1, 1955, killed 44 people aboard United Airlines Flight 629 near Longmont, Colorado,...
Historical Significance
John "Jack" Gilbert Graham (January 23, 1932 – January 11, 1957) was an American mass murderer who, on November 1, 1955, killed 44 people aboard United Airlines Flight 629 near Longmont, Colorado, using a dynamite time bomb.
Events Before
Christine Lagarde is born
Christine Lagarde is born
A New Year's event causes panic and stampedes at Yahiko Shrine in central Niigata, Japan, killing 124 people
A New Year's event causes panic and stampedes at Yahiko Shrine in central Niigata, Japan, killing 124 people
RCA records releases Elvis Presley's single "Heartbreak Hotel", his first million-seller (written by Mae Boren Axton and
RCA records releases Elvis Presley's single "Heartbreak Hotel", his first million-seller (written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden)
Nikita Khrushchev denounces Joseph Stalin at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (né Dzhugashvili; 18 December [O.S. 6 December] 1878 – 5 March 1953) was a Georgian-born Soviet revolutionary and politician who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until his…
French-Moroccan Agreement signed in Paris rescinds the Treaty of Fez, declaring independence of Morocco from France
French-Moroccan Agreement signed in Paris rescinds the Treaty of Fez, declaring independence of Morocco from France
Events After
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
Actress Jayne Mansfield and public relations manager Paul Mansfield's divorce is finalized, after 7-1/2 years of marriag
Actress Jayne Mansfield and public relations manager Paul Mansfield's divorce is finalized, after 7-1/2 years of marriage
"Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis reaches #1 on the UK pop chart
"Great Balls of Fire" is a 1957 popular song recorded by American rock and roll musician Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun Records and featured in the 1957 movie Jamboree.
American actress Jayne Mansfield (24) weds Hungarian-American bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay (32) at the Wayfarers Chapel i
American actress Jayne Mansfield (24) weds Hungarian-American bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay (32) at the Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, California; divorce in 1964
Actress Agnes Moorehead (57) divorces actor and film director Robert Gist (40) after 5 years of marriage
Actress Agnes Moorehead (57) divorces actor and film director Robert Gist (40) after 5 years of marriage
More from the 1950s
Sputnik 1 Launch
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, igniting the Space Age and the US-Soviet Space Race.
space explorationscience technology
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
death
Emil Jannings dies
Emil Jannings, Swiss-born German actor, known for german actor, died on 1950-01-02. Emil Jannings was a Swiss-born German actor who was popular in Hollywood films in the 1920s.
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on January 11, 1957?
- John "Jack" Gilbert Graham (January 23, 1932 – January 11, 1957) was an American mass murderer who, on November 1, 1955, killed 44 people aboard United Airlines Flight 629 near Longmont, Colorado, using a dynamite time bomb. Graham planted the bomb in his mother's suitcase in an apparent move to murder her and claim $37,500 (equivalent to $450,000 in 2025) worth of life insurance money from policies he purchased in the airport terminal just before the flight departure. Graham was convicted of murdering his mother.
- Why is American plane mass-murderer Jack Gilbert Graham is executed via the Gas Chamber significant?
- John "Jack" Gilbert Graham (January 23, 1932 – January 11, 1957) was an American mass murderer who, on November 1, 1955, killed 44 people aboard United Airlines Flight 629 near Longmont, Colorado, using a dynamite time bomb.