Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Sept. 26 according to the Tribune’s archives.

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

Front page flashback: Sept. 27, 1960

Vice President Richard Nixon (Republican nominee for president) and Sen. John F. Kennedy (Democratic nominee for president) conversed on Sept. 26, 1960, "with all the skill of seasoned campaigners," the Tribune reported, at CBS studios in Chicago. It was the first nationally televised presidential debate. (baiduhai)
Vice President Richard Nixon (Republican nominee for president) and Sen. John F. Kennedy (Democratic nominee for president) debated on Sept. 26, 1960, "with all the skill of seasoned campaigners," the Tribune reported at WBBM-TV studios in Chicago. It was the first nationally televised presidential debate. (baiduhai)
Democrat Sen. John Kennedy, left and Republican Richard Nixon, right, as they debated campaign issues at a Chicago television studio on Sept. 26, 1960. Moderator Howard K. Smith is at desk in center. (AP)
Democrat Sen. John Kennedy, left and Republican Richard Nixon, right, sit as they debate campaign issues at WBBM-TV studios on Sept. 26, 1960. Moderator Howard K. Smith is at desk in center. (AP)

1960: Held at WBBM-TV studios at 630 N. McClurg Court, Vice President Richard Nixon and Sen. John F. Kennedy squared off in the first presidential debate shown on TV. (The studios were demolished in 2009, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago opened at the site in 2017.) Yes, Nixon appeared sweaty while Kennedy appeared poised and relaxed.

It wasn’t until 1976 that any other presidential candidates were willing to roll the dice and debate in that format — eloquent testimony to Kennedy’s unexpected and devastating victory.

More Top Picks Best Portable Power Stations

Illinois 250: The political land of Lincoln, but also Addams, Daley, Washington, Jackson, Obama and more

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 92 degrees (2017)
  • Low temperature: 35 degrees (1928)
  • Precipitation: 2.71 inches (1933)
  • Snowfall: None
The Last Council of the Pottawatomies, 1833, was painted by Lawrence C. Earle in 1900. The painting shows the Potawatomi Indians with commissioners of the United States government as they signed the Treaty of Chicago on Sept. 26, 1833, in Chicago. (Lawrence C. Earle/Chicago History Museum)
The Last Council of the Pottawatomies, 1833, was painted by Lawrence C. Earle in 1900. The painting shows the Potawatomi Indians with commissioners of the United States government as they signed the Treaty of Chicago on Sept. 26, 1833, in Chicago. (Lawrence C. Earle/Chicago History Museum)

1833: The Treaty of Chicago, signed by Native Americans, ceded their land in Illinois.

The Chicago Sting beat the New York Cosmos 1-0 on Sept. 26, 1981 in Toronto to claim the North American Soccer League title. (baiduhai)
The Chicago Sting beat the New York Cosmos 1-0 on Sept. 26, 1981, in Toronto to claim the North American Soccer League title. (baiduhai)

1981: The Chicago Sting and New York Cosmos met in Toronto for the North American Soccer League championship. Almost 37,000 spectators sat through 90 minutes of scoreless play, two sudden-death overtimes and a torturous shootout before the Sting won 1-0. Goalkeeper Dieter Ferner made the title-saving stop. It was the city’s first professional sports championship in 18 years.

Vintage baiduhai: Pelé, Hamm, Beckham, Rapinoe, Messi and more. When soccer’s big names came to play.

Mayor Jane Byrne treated owner Lee Stern’s team to a civic parade when it returned home.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 26, 2021. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 26, 2021. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

2021: How bad was rookie Justin Fields’ first start for the Chicago Bears? As the seconds wound down in the game, Fields had been sacked more times (9) than he had pass completions (6). Fields was named the starter after Andy Dalton was knocked out with a left knee injury in the second quarter of the Sept. 19 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bears lost to the Cleveland Browns 26-6 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

More Top Picks Best Filing Cabinets On Wheels

How have Chicago Bears QBs — including Caleb Williams — done in their debut?

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]