We all know Chicago is the top spot for new, fun and interesting things to do. But, did you know Chicago also has a rich and fascinating history that helps shape it into the place it is today? From the first plans for the city and the Chicago Fire to the Blackhawks becoming Stanley Cup Champions and the Cubs winning the World Series, Chicago history is all around us!
Let's go back in time and celebrate the places and faces that represent our beloved city! Each week, check back for the anniversaries of some of Chicago’s greatest moments.
September 3, 1954
German U-Boat Reaches Final Destination
After moving from a specially constructed dock, the German U-Boat U-505 was placed in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.
September 3, 1986
Astros and Cubs Break Players-Used Record
During an 18-inning game, the Cubs and Astros used a record 53 players.
September 4, 1981
Beyonce is Born
Pay tribute to the Houston-born queen of pop at the "Queens on Wheels" rollerskating event held September 8-10 at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel.
September 5, 1955
WTTW Broadcasts in Chicago
Channel 11, also known as PBS, broadcasted for the first time in Chicago.
September 5, 1986
Whitney Houston wins VMA
The legendary singer's music will also be featured at the "Queens on Wheels" rollerskating event at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, September 8-10.
September 7, 1986
Instant Replay Used for the First Time
The new feature was first used to review a play during a game pitting the Bears and the Browns against each other.
September 9, 1913
Association for Study of Negro Life & History Organizes
The Association was first organized in Chicago.
September 9, 1923
Cliff Robertson is Born
The spokesman for AT&T was born in California.
August 27, 1884
Harry Antrim is born
Antrim, actor in Miracle on 34th Street, was born in Chicago.
August 27, 1997
Brandon Tartikoff dies
Tartikoff was a TV executive for NBC.
August 28, 1907
UPS is founded
UPS was founded by James E. Casey in Seattle, Washington.
August 28, 1942
Bears Defeat All Stars in NFL All Star Game
The Bears defeated the All Stars, 21-0.
August 29, 1935
William Friedkin is born
Friedkin was a director, producer and writer involved in the Exorcist and The French Connection.
August 31, 1955
First Solar Powered Automobile
The First solar powered automobile was demonstrated to the public on the streets of Chicago.
September 2, 1965
Ernie Banks Hits 400th Homerun
Ernie Banks was a shortstop for the Chicago Cubs.
August 20, 1993
Howard Stern is Fired
The Chicago radio personality had previously worked for WLUP-AM Chicago.
August 21, 1929
Chicago Cardinals Leave Town
The team became the first professional football team to train outside of their town.
August 21, 1965
Jim Bullinger is Born
The Chicago Cubs pitcher was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.
August 21, 1968
Democratic Convention Comes to Chicago
During the Convention, Hubert Humphrey was nominated.
August 22, 1848
Mellville E. Stone is Born
Stone was the founder of the Chicago Daily News.
August 23, 1919
Gasoline Alley Comic Appears
The comic first premiered in the Chicago Tribune.
August 24, 1918
Cubs Win the Earliest Pennant Ever
The Cubs season only lasted until September 2.
August 24, 1989
Holiday Inn is sold to Bass
The Holiday Inn hotel chain was bought by a British Brewery.
August 26, 1951
An American in Paris Premieres
The play, "An American in Paris" is one of many put on by the theater group, Broadway in Chicago.
August 13, 1906
Jack Taylor Ends No-Error Streak
Cubs player Jack Taylor went 202 games without a single error until losing to the LA Dodgers in the third inning.
August 13, 1935
Transcontinental Roller Derby
The Derby was held at the Chicago Coliseum.
August 13, 1972
Kevin Plank is Born
Kevin Plank founded Under Armour.
August 15, 1812
The Battle of Fort Dearborn
The battle was between United States troops and the Potawatomi Native Americans.
August 15, 1964
Ernie Banks Day
Chicago celebrated the first annual Ernie Banks Day. The Cubs legend was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom 2013.
August 16, 1927
First Home-run Hit out of Comiskey PArk
The home-run was hit by Babe Ruth.
August 16, 1967
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Perform
The band's first performance was at the Auditorium Theater, a part of Broadway in Chicago.
August 16, 1967
Bret Barberie and Terry Shumpert are Born
Barberie and Shumpert are both infielders for the Cubs.
August 18, 1982
Longest Game at Wrigley Field
The game began August 17 and pitted the LA Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs. After 22 innings, the Dodgers defeated the Cubs, 2-1.
August 19, 1969
Ken Holzman No-Hits the Braves
Holzman helped the Cubs defeat the Atlanta Braves, 3-0.
August 6, 2009
John Hughes Died
Hughes directed movies such as "The Breakfast Club," "Pretty in Pink," and "Sixteen Candles." His most famous movie, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" features several Chicago landmarks such as the Art Institute of Chicago.
August 7, 1984
Cubs beat Mets in doubleheader
The Cubs bested the Mets in both games of a doubleheader, the first game 8-6 and the second 8-4.
August 8, 1958
Miss Chicago presents Best Actor of the Year Award in Berlin
Miss Chicago, Andre Deckmann, presented the award to Sidney Poitier for his role in The Defiant Ones.
August 8, 1988
The Lights Go On at Wrigley Field
The Chicago Cubs played their first official night game at Wrigley Field, beating the Mets 6-4.
August 10, 1833
Chicago is Incorporated as a Village
At the time, Chicago had a population of about 350.
August 11 1934
Alcatraz is Opened
One of the most famous inmates of the island-style jail was Chicago mobster Al Capone.
August 11, 1956
Jackson Pollock dies
Many of Pollock's pieces are on display at the Art Institute of Chicago.
July 30, 1880
Robert Rutherford McCormick was born
McCormick, who grew up to become the editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, was born in Chicago to parents Robert and Katherine.
July 30, 2008
Broadway in Chicago was formed
Broadway in Chicago, the theatrical production company operates in five venues in downtown Chicago including the PrivateBank Theater, the Oriental Theater, the Cadillac Palace Theater, the Auditorium Theater and the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.
August 1, 1990
Stanton Cook steps down as CEO of the Chicago Cubs
Cook, who was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, passed away in his home in Kenilworth in 2015 at the age of 90.
August 3, 1877
William B. Ogden died
Ogden was the first mayor of the City of Chicago.
August 3, 1987
Bears defeat Cowboys in NFL Expo
In a 17-6 decision, the Chicago Bears beat the Dallas Cowboys at the Expo in London.
August 4, 1830
Plans for the city of Chicago were laid out
City commissioners hired James Thompson to map out the town of Chicago which, at the time, had less than 100 inhabitants.
July 23, 1944
Bill Nicholson hits four HRs
Chicago Cubs player Bill Nicholson hit four home runs in a doubleheader
July 23, 1976
42nd NFL Chicago All Star Game
During this game, Pittsburgh bested the All Stars in a 24-0 shutout decision
July 24, 1915
Eastland Shipwreck
In 1915, a Chicago-based tour ship, The Eastland, was scheduled to take Western Electric employees to a picnic in Indiana when the ship capsized, leading to the deaths of over 800 people.
July 25, 1954
Walter Peyton was Born
Walter Peyton, famed running back for the Chicago Bears was born in Columbia, MS.
July 26, 1893
Commercial Production of the Addressograph started
The Addressograph consisted of a hexagonal wood block with rubber type glued on, allowing the user to stamp addresses on envelopes more efficiently
July 27, 1919
Chicago Race Riot Began
During what was known as the worst race riot in the history of Illinois, 38 people were killed
July 17, 1955
Disneyland Opens
Walt Disney's fantasy land came to life in 1955. The $17 million park was built on 160 acres of land in Anaheim California and hosts over 14 million visitors a year.
Catch Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse along the parade route for The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, which kicks off the holiday season each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Join us on Saturday, Novemeber 18!
July 18, 2008
First Blackhawks Fan Convention
The first Blackhawks Fan Convention was held at the Hilton Chicago Hotel. The convention, which drew 10,000 fans, soon became an annual event.
July 20, 1968
First International Special Olympics
Held at Soldier Field, the first International Special Olympics featured 1500 athletes from the United States and Canada.
July 22, 1936
John Dillinger was killed
Infamous bank robber and life-long fan of the Chicago Cubs, John Dillinger, was shot and killed after a federal stakeout in front of the Biograph Theater .
July 12, 1931
Cubs and Cardinals Combine for MLB Record
The Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals combined for a total of 23 doubles in a single game, setting a new MLB record.
July 12, 1979
Disco Demolition
Thousands of Chicagoans gathered at Comisky Park to watch radio host Steve Dahl destroy disco records after a double header between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers.
July 14, 1789
Storming of the Bastille
In Paris, thousands of armed civilians gathered in front of the Bastille and demanded its surrender from the royal monarchy. This marked the flashpoint of the French Revolution and is celebrated every year on the anniversary, known as Bastille Day.
Celebrate Bastille Day at French restaurants around Chicago, like Les Nomades
July 14, 1927
John Chancellor is Born
John Chancellor, NBC Nightly News anchor was born.
July 3, 1936
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Takes Residence at Ravinia
Known for its outdoor lawn area and seated Pavillion, Ravinia now hosts summer concerts from various artists, including a permanent staple, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
July 3, 1965
Vinson Smith is Born
Vinson Smith is a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
July 4, 1962
The Chicago History Museum Hosts First Independence Day Celebration
The Chicago History Museum's 55th annual Independence Day Celebration was held in 2017
July 4, 1980
First Taste of Chicago
The Taste of Chicago has grown to become a must-attend event for residents and tourists. Vendors from all over the city participate and bring delicious food to Grant Park.
July 6, 1933
First All-Star Baseball Game
In 1933, the first All-Star baseball game was held in Chicago, where the American league bested the National League in a 4-2 decision.
June 27, 1970
First Chicago PRIDE Parade
The first Chicago PRIDE Parade was organized on the last Saturday of June in 1970 as a culmination of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. The parade marched from Washington Square Park to the Water Tower.
June 29, 1969
Billy Williams Breaks "Consecutive Games Played" Record
Outfielder for the Chicago Cubs, Billy Williams played his 896th game on June 29, 1969. This broke the National League's "Consecutive Games Played" record previously held by Stan Musial.
July 1, 1870
Charles E. Fox is Born
Charles E. Fox is the architect behind the famous Drake Hotel.
July 1, 1934
Brookfield Zoo Opens
The Brookfield Zoo, operated by the Chicago Zoological Society, is known for its open-air enclosures.
July 1, 1950
Eliel Saarinen Dies
Eliel Saarinen is the architect responsible for the Chicago Tribune Building. He died at the age of 76.
June 24, 1922
The NFL and the Chicago Bears are born
The National Football League was originally known as the APFA (American Professional Football Association) until 1922. With the name change, one of the teams, the Chicago Staleys, became the Chicago Bears that we know and love today.
June 24, 1994
Chicago Cubs honor Harry Caray
After 50 years of broadcasting, The Chicago Cubs held a special day honoring the "Holy Cow" originator, Harry Caray.
Learn more about Harry Caray's Steakhouse.
June 24, 2013
Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup
In a 3-2 decision, the Chicago Blackhawks edged out the Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in four years. The Hawks would go on to win the Cup again in 2015.
