In 1986, it was one of the most-watched broadcasts on American television. More than 30 million people tuned in to watch the two-hour live broadcast. It was not a sports game, a political debate, or a famous talk show. Viewers watched breathlessly as the secret room of famed gangster Al Capone was broken into in the basement of a Chicago nightclub.
Thirty-nine years had passed since his death, but the figure of the king of the underworld was still causing a stir. No one knew what was behind the wall; it may have been millions of dollars. That’s why federal tax agents stood by with the journalists also. The corpses of Al Capone's unfortunate enemies could also have been there. There was a medical examiner nearby for this purpose. But finally, the wall came down. People rushed inside, but instead of a secret treasure, they found only dirt and a few dirty bottles. The year’s most anticipated show instantly turned into a major disappointment. People obviously wanted more because this was not just some ordinary gangster but a man who had become a symbol of organized crime in America. His name alone already promised intrigue and action. All of this was part of his vividly saturated life, but in the end, the colors fade...

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