Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping Captivated Nation, Transformed Media

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The kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh's 20-month-old son in 1932 was a watershed moment in American media history. The case, which became known as the "Crime of the Century," captivated the nation and transformed how the press covered breaking news and true crime stories. The rapid response of newspapers, radio, and the new medium of sound newsreels created an unprecedented 24/7 media frenzy that would set the template for how the media covers high-profile crimes to this day.

Why it matters

The Lindbergh kidnapping case marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of American journalism. It demonstrated the power of new media technologies like radio and newsreels to deliver breaking news and captivate the public. The case also led to significant changes in law enforcement, with the FBI taking a larger role in kidnapping cases, as well as restrictions on media coverage of trials. The media's handling of the Lindbergh case would go on to influence how high-profile crimes are covered for decades to come.

The details

On the night of March 1, 1932, the 20-month-old son of aviator Charles Lindbergh was kidnapped from his crib in Hopewell, New Jersey. A ransom note demanding $50,000 was left behind. The case immediately became a national sensation, with newspapers, radio, and the new medium of sound newsreels providing around-the-clock coverage. Reporters and cameramen rushed to the scene, trampling evidence. The Lindberghs refused to make a public appeal, but Anne Lindbergh's heartbreaking note about the baby's diet was widely published. Two months later, the child's body was found just miles from the Lindbergh estate. The case remained unsolved for over two years until Bruno Richard Hauptmann, a German immigrant, was arrested and convicted. The sensational 1935 trial was the first time live courtroom footage was widely distributed in newsreels, marking a new era of media coverage of high-profile crimes.

• On March 1, 1932, the Lindbergh baby was kidnapped from his crib in Hopewell, New Jersey.
• On May 12, 1932, the baby's body was found less than five miles from the Lindbergh estate.
• On November 26, 1933, two alleged kidnappers were lynched in California in the last public lynching in the state's history.
• On September 15, 1934, Bruno Richard Hauptmann was arrested after a gas station attendant recognized gold certificates from the ransom money.
• On January 2, 1935, Hauptmann's trial, dubbed the "Trial of the Century," began in Flemington, New Jersey.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge in Hauptmann's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him to appeal his death sentence.