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Welcome to the first day of the year. Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 1, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 61 degrees (1877)
  • Low temperature: Minus 8 degrees (2000)
  • Precipitation: 1.76 inches (1972)
  • Snowfall: 11.3 inches (1903)

1863: The Emancipation Proclamation took effect.

1873: Chicago Public Library opened its doors at the southeast corner of LaSalle and Adams streets in a circular water tank that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. A large donation of books was made by Queen Victoria.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created in Chicago by Montgomery Ward copywriter Robert L. May to sell toys in 1939. Here’s how the popular Christmas character — and its author — went down in history.

1947: The copyright for “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was officially transferred from Montgomery Ward to its creator Robert L. May. This copyright was renewed in 1967, and the original 1939 version of the story is set to enter the public domain in 2034.

Also in 1947: Illinois — including All-American guard and Big Ten MVP Alex Agase — shocked the unbeaten UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. The Illini won 45-14.

1949: Bob Voigts, who played for coach Lynn “Pappy” Waldorf at Northwestern University, coached the Wildcats to a 20-14 Rose Bowl victory over Waldorf’s California Bears.

1964: Trailing at halftime, Illinois used second-half touchdowns by Jim Warren and Jim Grabowski to beat Washington 17-7 in the Rose Bowl. Illini star Dick Butkus, irked at reports suggesting the Big Ten champs were not in top physical shape, led his team on a postgame sprint around the field to show their fitness. Grabowski rushed for 125 yards and was voted the game’s MVP.

1993: Tribune Co.’s ChicagoLand Television News (CLTV) debuted as Chicago’s first all-news 24-hour cable channel. It shut down at the end of 2019.

1995: The Bears scored an improbable road victory

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— 35-18 — over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL wild-card game after losing twice to them during the regular season. It was the Bears’ first playoff victory since Jan. 6, 1990, and first road playoff triumph since Dec. 30, 1984.

1996: Northwestern made its first Rose Bowl appearance in 47 years, but lost to USC 41-32.

2018: The Bears fired coach John Fox after 3 seasons.

Chicago Bears have had 18 head coaches. Here’s a look at how past coaches fared — and when they left the franchise.

2020: People in Illinois bought recreational marijuana legally for the first time.

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