Hells Angels

Some people ride big bikes.

They call themselves the Hells Angels. This group started in California.

Many members ride Harley-Davidson bikes. They wear red and white colors. They also use the number 81. This is because H and A are letters in the alphabet. The group has many members in many lands. They are a very large club. They use patches on their jackets. These patches show where they are from. They also show their jobs in the club.

The Hells Angels is a large motorcycle club.

It started in California in 1948. Some say it began in 1951. Members often ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. They use the colors red and white.

You might see the number 81 on their gear. This is because H is the 8th letter. A is the 1st letter. The club is very big. It has over 6,000 members in 66 countries. Many police groups call them an organized crime group. They have been linked to drugs and violence.

Members wear patches on their vests. These patches show their rank or where they live. Some patches show their special beliefs. One patch says "Angels Forever; Forever Angels." This means they are members for life. The club's name may come from a movie. It may also come from planes in World War II. The name was meant to sound fierce.

The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a very large group of people.

They are known as an international outlaw motorcycle club. Most of their members ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The club is famous for using the colors red and white.

People often call them "H.A." or "81." The number 81 comes from the alphabet. H is the 8th letter and A is the 1st letter. Today, the club has over 6,000 members. They have 592 charters in 66 different countries. This makes them the largest outlaw biker club in the world.

Members of the club wear special patches on their vests. These patches work a bit like military medals. They show where a person lives or their rank in the club.

Some patches show if a person is a President or a Secretary. There is even a patch that says "AFFA." This stands for "Angels Forever; Forever Angels." It means that once you join, you are a member for life. Some patches are used to show special actions or beliefs. One famous patch is a diamond shape that says "1%." This is a response to a story about how most bikers follow the law, but a small part do not.

History tells us that the club started a long time ago.

One story says it began on March 17, 1948, in Fontana, California. This happened when several small clubs decided to merge. A man named Otto Friedli is credited with starting it. He was a veteran from World War II. Another story says the club started in 1951 in San Bernardino. This version says Dick White was the founder. The name of the club might come from a 1930 movie. It might also come from fierce airplane groups in World War II.

As time went on, the club grew across the world.

Many different groups formed in California during the 1950s. A man named Sonny Barger helped bring these groups together. He helped them follow the same club rules. The first group to open outside of California was in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1961. The club also became well-known in the 1960s. They were part of the counterculture movement in San Francisco. This was a time when many people wanted to change how society worked. Members of the club were connected to many famous musicians and writers.

Not everyone views the club in a positive way.

Many police agencies study the Hells Angels. The United States Department of Justice and Europol call them an organized crime syndicate. They say the club is involved in things like drug trafficking. There has also been violence between this club and other biker groups. Even the top leaders have been linked to these problems. In 1973, members even protested against new air laws in California. They wanted to protect the use of motorcycles. The club is a complex part of modern history.

The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) is an international outlaw motorcycle club.

It is the largest outlaw biker club in the world. The club currently has over 6,000 members. These members are spread across 592 charters in 66 different countries. Most members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In the United States and Canada, the group is incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. People often use nicknames like "H.A." or "Red & White" to refer to them. They also use the number "81" as a metonym. This number comes from the alphabet, where H is the 8th letter and A is the 1st letter.

Many law enforcement agencies view the club as an organized crime syndicate.

This includes the United States Department of Justice and Europol. The Australian Federal Police and the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada also monitor the group. These agencies link the club to organized crime, such as drug trafficking. The club has also been involved in violent conflicts with other outlaw motorcycle clubs. Historically, this involvement in violence and crime has extended to the organization's most senior leadership. These activities have made the club a subject of intense study by international intelligence agencies.

The exact origins of the club are not fully clear, and different accounts exist.

One theory states the club began on March 17, 1948, in Fontana, California. This happened when several small motorcycle clubs merged together. Otto Friedli, a World War II veteran, is credited with starting it after leaving the Pissed Off Bastards club. An alternative theory suggests the club was founded on November 15, 1951, in San Bernardino. This version credits Dick White, a member of the Redlands Road Runners, as the founder. Some records suggest the first official charter was drawn up in Fontana in 1950.

The name "Hells Angels" has several possible inspirations.

The club's website says the name was suggested by Arvid Olsen. He was an associate of the founders who served in the "Hell's Angels" squadron in China. However, another source says the name came from a squadron in the 303rd Bombardment Group in Europe. It is likely the name follows a tradition from the World Wars. During these wars, American groups often gave themselves fierce, death-defying titles. The name may also be linked to a 1930 Howard Hughes film called "Hell's Angels." This film showcased dangerous aviation feats and likely influenced many military groups.

As the club grew, different charters formed across California.

In the 1950s, many autonomous groups appeared in various cities. The San Francisco charter was reportedly founded in 1954 by former Market Street Commandos members. Another charter was established in North Sacramento in 1956. In 1957, Ralph "Sonny" Barger founded the Oakland charter. Barger is credited with helping to unify these separate groups under common bylaws. He helped create a sense of organization among the different chapters. The first charter to expand outside of California was established in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1961.

Members use a specific system of patches on their leather or denim vests.

These patches function similarly to military medals to show rank or actions. The official colors are red lettering on a white background. Some members wear a rectangular patch showing their specific charter location. Others wear patches for roles like President, Vice President, or Sergeant at Arms. The "AFFA" patch stands for "Angels Forever; Forever Angels," marking lifelong membership. There is also a diamond-shaped "1%" patch. This refers to a claim that 1% of motorcyclists are outlaws, though the American Motorcyclist Association calls this story apocryphal.

The club became very prominent during the 1960s counterculture movement.

They were active in the Haight-Ashbury District of San Francisco. Many members were connected to famous leaders of that era. These included musicians like Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and Allen Ginsberg. The journalist Hunter S. Thompson even launched his career by writing about the club. The club's history is often viewed in two ways. Some see them as free-spirited and bound by brotherhood. Others, like in the 1966 film "The Wild Angels," depict them as violent and nihilistic. This duality makes the Hells Angels a complex subject in modern social history.