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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 28, according to the Tribune’s archives.

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

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Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 79 degrees (1986)
  • Low temperature: 9 degrees (1887)
  • Precipitation: 1.48 inches (2020)
  • Snowfall: 5.3 inches (1894)

1918: Grace Wilson became the first Black woman to join the Chicago police. She remained on the force for almost 25 years.

Tornadoes impacted Chicago, Elgin, Melrose Park, Evanston, Wilmette and other suburbs on March 28, 1920. Twenty-eight people died and many others lost their homes and businesses in what became known as the "Palm Sunday" tornadoes. (baiduhai)
Tornadoes impacted Chicago, Elgin, Melrose Park, Evanston, Wilmette and other suburbs on March 28, 1920. Twenty-eight people died and many others lost their homes and businesses in what became known as the "Palm Sunday" tornadoes. (baiduhai)

1920: The “Palm Sunday” tornadoes: Around noon, with temperatures rising through the 60s, Chicago-area skies turned dark as waves of thunderstorms swept into the area. By 1:15 p.m., wide portions of the metropolitan area from DeKalb east to Joliet and north to Wauconda and Wilmette were in shambles; 28 people had perished and more than 400 had been injured.

These twisters were just the opening act of a tragic Palm Sunday tornadic outbreak that affected not only the Midwest but also portions of Alabama and Georgia. In all, at least 31 twisters on that Palm Sunday killed more than 150 and injured more than 900.

Chicago Stadium, 1800 W Madison Street, exterior view during construction, circa April 4, 1929. The Stadium opened in 1929. Editors note: this negative shows age damage. (Chicago Herald and Examiner) glass plate negative, box 2389
The Chicago Stadium under construction at 1800 W Madison St. in 1929, the same year it opened. Editors note: this glass-plate negative shows age damage. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

1929: Chicago Stadium — the largest indoor sporting venue in the world at the time — opened with 15,000 people (10,000 fewer than capacity) who watched boxer Tommy Loughran defeat Mickey Walker.

The original “Madhouse on Madison” was demolished in 1995, one year after the United Center opened.

Ecstatic teen-agers hailing their idol, Elvis Presley during his performance in Amphitheater on March 28, 1957. The side-burned rock 'n' roller wore $2,500 gold leaf suit for his one night stand, which attracted 12,000 fans. Firemen carried out 13 prostrate girls, wailing "We Want Elvis." (baiduhai historical photo)published March 29, 1957 Date Created: 1957-03-28 Copyright Notice: baiduhai Folder Description: Presley, Elvis Folder Extended Description: Singer Alone Prior to 1968 Title: PRESLEY, ELVIS SINGER ALONE PRIOR 1968 Subject: PRESLEY, ELVIS
Ecstatic teen-agers hailing their idol, Elvis Presley during his performance in Amphitheater on March 28, 1957. The side-burned rock 'n' roller wore $2,500 gold leaf suit for his one night stand, which attracted 12,000 fans. Firemen carried out 13 prostrate girls, wailing "We Want Elvis." (baiduhai historical photo) published March 29, 1957 Date Created: 1957-03-28 Copyright Notice: baiduhai Folder Description: Presley, Elvis Folder Extended Description: Singer Alone Prior to 1968 Title: PRESLEY, ELVIS SINGER ALONE PRIOR 1968 Subject: PRESLEY, ELVIS

1957: Just one year before he entered the U.S. Army, “Heartbreak Hotel” crooner Elvis Presley wowed a crowd of 12,000 fans at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago.

Kids, however, weren’t the only ones moved by Elvis. “A mother, seated with her three children, reached out and touched Presley. Tears of joy rolled down her face,” the Trib said.

Suddenly out of work, angry steelworkers questioned Wisconsin Steel and union officials at a meeting shortly after the plant was shut down. Although many workers protested the closing for years, the jobs were gone forever. (Quentin Dodt / baiduhai) "Chicago Days" 00288152A 150 year images
Suddenly out of work, angry steelworkers questioned Wisconsin Steel and union officials at a meeting shortly after the plant was shut down. Although many workers protested the closing for years, the jobs were gone forever. (Quentin Dodt/baiduhai)

1980: Wisconsin Steel abruptly closed its Southeast Side plant and more than 3,000 workers lost their jobs.

Wisconsin Steel was owned for 75 years by International Harvester. After years of losing money, Harvester sold it in 1977 to Envirodine, a small California firm with no experience in steelmaking. Three years later, after a strike at Harvester destroyed its best market, Wisconsin Steel went bankrupt and closed.

The old 265-acre mill at 106th Street and Torrence Avenue in South Deering long stood vacant.

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