Mary Ann Nichols is murdered. She is the first of Jack the Ripper’s confirmed victims.

Jack the Ripper is the name given to an unidentified serial killer who was active in the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. The nickname originates from a letter, allegedly written by the killer, which was sent to the police during the investigation. The true identity of Jack the Ripper has never been confirmed, and the case remains one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in criminal history.

Jack the Ripper is believed to have killed at least five women, all of whom were prostitutes. The murders were characterized by extreme brutality, including throat slashing and abdominal mutilation. The victims, often referred to as the “canonical five,” were:

Mary Ann Nichols (murdered on August 31, 1888)
Annie Chapman (murdered on September 8, 1888)
Elizabeth Stride (murdered on September 30, 1888)
Catherine Eddowes (murdered on September 30, 1888)
Mary Jane Kelly (murdered on November 9, 1888)

Despite numerous investigations and countless theories, the true identity of Jack the Ripper has remained a subject of speculation and debate for over a century. Various suspects have been proposed, ranging from local residents to high-profile figures, but no conclusive evidence has ever emerged to identify the killer. The mystery has fascinated historians, criminologists, and the general public, leading to a wealth of literature, films, and other media dedicated to exploring the case.