A former San Francisco city supervisor who assassinated Mayor George Moscone and fellow supervisor Harvey Milk, sparking widespread outrage and calls for LGBTQ+ rights. His actions led to the White Night riots and a lasting impact on the city's politics and social justice movements.
Dan White is infamous for the brutal murder of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, a pioneering gay rights activist, on November 27, 1978, at City Hall. This heinous crime shook the political landscape of San Francisco and left an indelible mark on the city's history.
Born on September 2, 1946, in Long Beach, California, White grew up in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley neighborhood as the second of nine children in a working-class Irish-American family. After being expelled from Archbishop Riordan High School for violence in his junior year, he attended Woodrow Wilson High School.
White enlisted in the United States Army in 1965 and served in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1971. Following his military service, he worked as a security guard in Anchorage, Alaska, and later joined the San Francisco Police Department, only to allegedly quit after reporting a fellow officer for brutality.
In 1977, White was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from District 8, earning the reputation as an "all-American boy" after a heroic act of rescuing a woman and her baby from a seventh-floor apartment fire. As a Democrat, White seemed to be a rising star in San Francisco politics.
On November 27, 1978, White's political career took a devastating turn when he assassinated Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Milk inside City Hall. The brutal murders sent shockwaves throughout the city and sparked widespread outrage. White's trial was highly publicized, with his defense team arguing that he was suffering from depression and mental health issues.
In 1979, White was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, rather than first-degree murder, sparking further controversy and outrage. He served five years of a seven-year prison sentence before being released in 1984.
After his release from prison, White struggled to rebuild his life. He returned to San Francisco, where he was met with anger and resentment from the community. On October 21, 1985, White committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in his garage.
Dan White's legacy is forever marred by the brutal murders of two political icons. While his actions were undoubtedly heinous, they also sparked a national conversation about political violence, mental health, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Today, White's story serves as a cautionary tale about the darker aspects of human nature.
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A pioneering LGBTQ+ rights activist who served as one of the first openly gay elected officials in the US, advocating for equality and challenging social norms.
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A lawyer and politician who served as the 37th Mayor of San Francisco, known for his progressive policies and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. He was assassinated in 1978, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.
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