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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Aug. 7, according to the Tribune’s archives.

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Chicago police Officer Ella French was shot and killed and her partner Officer Carlos Yañez was seriously injured on Aug. 7, 2021, during a traffic stop in the West Englewood neighborhood. (baiduhai)
Chicago police Officer Ella French was shot and killed and her partner Officer Carlos Yañez was seriously injured on Aug. 7, 2021, during a traffic stop in the West Englewood neighborhood. (baiduhai)

2021: Chicago police Officer Ella French, 29, was shot and killed after she and her partners pulled over a vehicle — occupied by Emonte Morgan, his brother, Eric Morgan, and a woman Eric Morgan was dating — around 63rd Street and Bell Avenue. French’s partner, Carlos Yanez, Jr., was also shot and critically wounded.

Emonte Morgan, 21, was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, while Eric Morgan, 22, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon as well as one count of obstructing justice.

Eric Morgan pleaded guilty in 2023, and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Emonte Morgan was convicted the following year and sentenced to life.

Nonprofit started by mother of slain Officer Ella French supports on-duty officers with food and water

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 99 degrees (1918)
  • Low temperature: 50 degrees (1994)
  • Precipitation: 2.36 inches (2018)
  • Snowfall: None
An astronomical research center named for Washington Park Race Track owner Benjamin F. Lindheimer opened in 1966, on the Evanston campus of Northwestern University. (baiduhai)
An astronomical research center named for Washington Park Race Track owner Benjamin F. Lindheimer opened in 1966, on the Evanston campus of Northwestern University. (baiduhai)

1966: The observatory at Northwestern University’s new “spiderweb-design” Benjamin F. Lindheimer Astronomical Research Center was completed, the Tribune reported. The facility was demolished in 1995. Its telescopes were donated to the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Greg Maddux in the first inning against leadoff man Ray Durham on Aug. 7, 2004. Maddux notched his 300th career victory. He became the 22nd pitcher to reach 300 wins. (Phil Velasquez/baiduhai)
Greg Maddux in the first inning against leadoff man Ray Durham on Aug. 7, 2004. Maddux notched his 300th career victory. He became the 22nd pitcher to reach 300 wins. (Phil Velasquez/baiduhai)

2004: Chicago Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux won his 300th game against the Giants in San Francisco.

Seven Democratic presidential candidates hold a forum at Soldier Field on Aug. 7, 2007. (Charles Cherney/baiduhai)
Seven Democratic presidential candidates hold a forum at Soldier Field on Aug. 7, 2007. (Charles Cherney/baiduhai)

2007: Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton faced off against four other potential Democratic presidential candidates in a debate during an AFL-CIO forum at Soldier Field. Obama won the party’s nomination and was elected the first Black American president.

Baltimore Orioles' Manny Machado hits a two-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, on Aug. 7, 2016. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)
Baltimore Orioles' Manny Machado hits a two-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, on Aug. 7, 2016. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

2016: At Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field, Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado became just the second player in major league history to hit a home run in the first, second and third innings, driving in a career-high seven runs in a victory over the Chicago White Sox.

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