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The Order was led by Robert Jay Mathews, an American neo-Nazi and white supremacist. His beliefs were largely informed by The Turner Diaries, an apocalyptic novel about a future interracial war in North America. The fundamental precepts of their group were violent revolution against the United States government (called by them " ZOG", for Zionist Occupation Government) and total destruction of African Americans and Jews.
Mathews led the Order through a series of violent crimes, including bank robberies and bombings of theaters and synagogues. The Order also ran a large counterfeiting operation, and executed a series of armored car robberies, including one in Ukiah, California that netted $3.8 million.
By turning members of the Order into informers, FBI agents were able to track down Mathews in December of 1984 to a cabin in Whidbey Island, where he refused to surrender. Mathews burned to death in a fire during the ensuing shoot out.
Ten members of the group were convicted of the June 18, 1984 murder of Alan Berg, a liberal, Jewish Denver-area radio talk show host. The murder, or assassination, and consequent trial form the core of Steven Dietz 's 19881988 is a leap year starting on Friday (click on link for calendar). Events January January 2 Georgia celebrates its bicentennial statehood. January 9 Connecticut celebrates its bicentennial statehood. January 26 Australia celebrates its bicentennial day. play God's Country .