Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe were Oklahoma bank robbers who took part in the second escape attempt from Alcatraz in 1937. They departed the island by jumping into the San Francisco Bay to an uncertain fate. Although officials were quick to conclude they likely drowned in the frigid waters, the fact the inmates got off Alcatraz and their bodies were never found, made the incident the first to challenge Alcatraz's reputation as an "escape-proof" prison.
Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe attempt to escape from the American federal prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay;
Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe attempt to escape from the American federal prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay; neither man is ever seen again
Historical Significance
Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe were Oklahoma bank robbers who took part in the second escape attempt from Alcatraz in 1937.
Events Before
Roger Miller is born
Roger Miller, American musician, known for american country musician, was born on 1936-01-02. Roger Dean Miller Sr.
Billboard magazine publishes its first music hit parade
A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined either by sales or airplay.
Actress Mary Pickford (44) divorces actor Douglas Fairbanks (52) after 15 years of marriage
Actress Mary Pickford (44) divorces actor Douglas Fairbanks (52) after 15 years of marriage
Screen Directors Guild incorporates in Hollywood and later elects King Vidor as its first president
Screen Directors Guild incorporates in Hollywood and later elects King Vidor as its first president
First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johns
First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson
Events After
First jazz concert is held at Carnegie Hall, performed by Benny Goodman and his band
The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert by Benny Goodman, Columbia Records catalogue item SL-160, is a two-disc LP of swing and jazz music recorded at Carnegie Hall in New York City on January 16,…
World's first science fiction TV program is a broadcast of the play R.U.R. by Karel Čapek
Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is the genre of speculative, science-based fiction that imagines advanced and futuristic scientific or technological progress.
"Bringing Up Baby" film directed by Howard Hawks, starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, is released
Bringing Up Baby is a 1938 American screwball comedy film directed by Howard Hawks, and starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. It was released by RKO Radio Pictures.
First public experimental demonstration of Baird color TV occurs in London
First public experimental demonstration of Baird color TV occurs in London
UK Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden resigns, stating Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain has appeased Nazi Germany
Arthur Neville Chamberlain was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from May 1937 to May 1940 and Leader of the Conservative Party from May 1937 to October 1940.
More from the 1930s
birth
David McKee is born
David McKee, British writer and illustrator, known for british writer and illustrator, was born on 1935-01-02.
birth
Jim Bakker is born
Jim Bakker televangelist, known for american televangelist, was born on 1939-01-02. James Orsen Bakker is an American televangelist and convicted felon.
birth
Roger Miller is born
Roger Miller, American musician, known for american country musician, was born on 1936-01-02. Roger Dean Miller Sr.
Claus von Stauffenberg is promoted to Second Lieutenant
Claus Philipp Maria Justinian Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg was a German army officer who is best known for his failed attempt on 20 July 1944 to assassinate Adolf Hitler at the Wolf's Lair, part of...
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on December 16, 1937?
- Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe were Oklahoma bank robbers who took part in the second escape attempt from Alcatraz in 1937. They departed the island by jumping into the San Francisco Bay to an uncertain fate. Although officials were quick to conclude they likely drowned in the frigid waters, the fact the inmates got off Alcatraz and their bodies were never found, made the incident the first to challenge Alcatraz's reputation as an "escape-proof" prison.
- Why is Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe attempt to escape from the American federal priso... significant?
- Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe were Oklahoma bank robbers who took part in the second escape attempt from Alcatraz in 1937.