During the Great Depression of the 1930s, American outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow became household names. Their crime spree, which included robberies of banks and other financial institutions as well as violent confrontations with law authorities, sparked widespread interest and cemented their place in American legend.

After meeting one other in 1930, Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow rapidly became partners in crime and in love. They organized a crime spree that spanned numerous states and involved the entire gang. They gained notoriety for their audacious escapes and skill in evading capture.

The media’s portrayal of Bonnie and Clyde as glamorous and charming, even romanticizing their criminal adventures, had a major influence in establishing their popular image. Several people, including law enforcement officers and innocent bystanders, were killed as a result of the duo’s acts.

On May 23, 1934, Bonnie and Clyde were captured by the police. The couple was attacked in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, by a posse led by veteran Texas Ranger Frank Hamer. Officers sprayed rounds into their car, putting an end to their criminal spree.

Curious bystanders flocked to the scene of Bonnie and Clyde’s murder when it became a sensationalized event. Books, movies, and songs have all been written about these individuals, ensuring their status as famous criminals in American history.

Even though Bonnie and Clyde’s crime spree stopped when they were killed, their story continues to be told and their murders are remembered as a symbol of the intricacies of crime, notoriety, and the social consequences of the Great Depression.