Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Nov. 12, 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: 70 degrees (1949)
  • Low temperature: 7 degrees (2019)
  • Precipitation: 0.96 inches (1879)
  • Snowfall: 3.4 inches (1959)
When it opened on Nov. 12, 1946, Exchange National Bank of Chicago, 130 S. LaSalle St., became the first of its kind in the United States a "drive-in" bank where customers didn't have to leave their automobiles in order to make a deposit. (baiduhai)
When it opened on Nov. 12, 1946, Exchange National Bank of Chicago, 130 S. LaSalle St., became the first of its kind in the United States — a "drive-in" bank where customers didn't have to leave their automobiles in order to make a deposit. (baiduhai)

1946: Exchange National Bank of Chicago, 130 S. LaSalle St., Chicago — which called itself the “most modern bank in the world” — opened the first “pill boxes” in the United States. The drive-up windows allowed customers to drive into the building and meet directly with tellers at the “autobank” while still in their automobiles. The drive-in had 10 teller windows with bulletproof glass and automatic slide-out drawers.

More Top Picks Nanan Healthy Faucet

The first deposit was made by E.B. Mayer, whose grandfather formerly lived at the site. The bank was acquired by LaSalle National Bank of Chicago in 1989. LaSalle was acquired by Bank of America in 2007.

Nellie Fox, left, Chicago White Sox second baseman, signs a contract for an estimated $42,000 as Chuck Comiskey nods approval on Feb. 2, 1959, at Comiskey Park. (baiduhai historical photo)
Chicago White Sox second baseman Nellie Fox, left, signs a contract for an estimated $42,000 with team co-owner Chuck Comiskey on Feb. 2, 1959, at Comiskey Park. (baiduhai historical photo)

1959: Chicago White Sox second baseman and future Hall of Famer Nellie Fox won the American’s League’s Most Valuable Player award. Two of his “Go-Go White Sox” teammates — shortstop Luis Aparicio and pitcher Early Wynn — placed second and third in the voting.

Earle T. Cook and wife Jeanne in the Federal Building on Feb. 5, 1968, as they await a decision from the jury on government charges that Cook placed a bomb in her luggage before her flight in an attempt to kill her. (William Yates/baiduhai)
Earle T. Cook and wife Jeanne in the Federal Building on Feb. 5, 1968, as they await a decision from the jury on government charges that Cook placed a bomb in her luggage before her flight in an attempt to kill her. (William Yates/baiduhai)

1967: Naperville executive Earle T. Cook placed a bomb — intended to kill his wife — on an American Airlines flight from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to San Diego. The bomb malfunctioned during the flight, but caused no injuries. Cook was later charged and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu holds up his 2020 American League MVP award before the first inning of the home opener against the Kansas City Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 8, 2021, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu holds up his 2020 American League MVP award before the first inning of the home opener against the Kansas City Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 8, 2021, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

2020: White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was named the American League’s MVP, finishing first in the league with 60 RBI, second with 19 home runs and fourth batting .317 in the 60-game season.

Abreu finished first in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America with 374 points, including 21 of 30 first-place votes.

‘My heart always will be with the White Sox’: 2020 AL MVP José Abreu reflects on time on the South Side

Want more vintage Chicago?

Subscribe to the free Vintage baiduhai newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram

More Top Picks Wrench Sets

 for more from Chicago’s past.

Have an idea for Vintage baiduhai? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at [email protected] and [email protected]