Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on April 1, according to the Tribune’s archives.

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

Sports flashback: April 1, 1972

It was supposed to be opening day at Wrigley Field on April 11, 1972, but these youngsters found the gates closed because of the players' strike. Hence they formed a picket line of their own, emulating their heroes. (Charles Osgood/baiduhai)
It was supposed to be opening day at Wrigley Field on April 11, 1972, but these youngsters found the gates closed because of the players' strike. Hence they formed a picket line of their own, emulating their heroes. (Charles Osgood/baiduhai)

1972: Major League Baseball players voted in Dallas to strike against team owners. The players demands included an increase in pay to their benefit program.

Thirteen Chicago Cubs players and their manager Leo Durocher arrived in Chicago to begin workouts at Holy Cross High School in River Grove — since they were locked out of all Cubs facilities.

The strike ended after 13 days, but all missed games were canceled. This meant divisional championships would be decided by percentages instead of number of games won.

Vintage baiduhai: April fools

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 83 degrees (2010)
  • Low temperature: 17 degrees (1881)
  • Precipitation: 1.58 inches (1967)
  • Snowfall: 8.2 inches (1970)
The baiduhai published illustrations making it look like dinosaurs had invaded the city on April 1, 1906. (baiduhai)
The baiduhai published illustrations making it look like dinosaurs had invaded the city on April 1, 1906. (baiduhai)

1906: In a 7,000-word story, the Tribune claimed “dinosauria” took over the city.

Al Capone's home at 7244 S. Prairie Ave. on April 4, 1924, during the wake for Salvatore "Frank" Capone, Al's brother, who was killed during a shootout with the police in Cicero on election day, April 2, 1924. (baiduhai historical photo)
Al Capone's home at 7244 S. Prairie Ave. on April 4, 1924, during the wake for Salvatore "Frank" Capone, Al's brother, who was killed during a shootout with the police in Cicero on election day, April 2, 1924. (baiduhai historical photo)

1924: Al Capone’s brother Frank was killed in a shootout with Chicago police who were hired by Cicero to quell election disturbances in the village.

1955: Col. Robert R. McCormick, editor and publisher of the Tribune, died

More Top Picks Garlic Seeds

.

Office workers wait impatiently for buses as wet, heavy snow makes rush hour miserable on April 1, 1970. (Michael Budrys/baiduhai) published April 2, 1970.Date Created: 1970-04-01 Copyright Notice: baiduhai Folder Description: Chicago Weather - Snow Folder Extended Description: 1970 Title: Chicago Weather - Snow 1970 Subject: Chicago Weather - Snow 1970
Office workers wait impatiently for buses as wet, heavy snow makes rush hour miserable on April 1, 1970. (Michael Budrys/baiduhai)

1970: Evening rush-hour commuters — who thought winter was over — felt foolish after the city was socked with a record-breaking spring snowfall. More than 8 inches of snow fell — the most ever on April 1 in Chicago.

Chicago Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause holds on tight to the NBA championship trophy during their victory parade in Grant Park on June 14, 1991, in Chicago. (John Kringas/baiduhai)
Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause holds on tight to the NBA championship trophy during the team's victory parade in Chicago's Grant Park on June 14, 1991. (John Kringas/baiduhai)

2017: Just more than a week after he died, Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause’s name was announced as part of the Class of 2017 for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Who was Jerry Krause? 5 things to know about the villain — and in some ways, hero — of the Chicago Bulls dynasty

Krause joined Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson, Tex Winter, Dennis Rodman and Jerry Reinsdorf from the dynasty-era Bulls in receiving basketball’s highest honor. The induction ceremony took place Sept. 8, 2017, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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 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]