Today in Chicago History

Chicago Bears halfback Walter Payton acknowledges the cheers of the crowd after his record-setting afternoon in a 20-7 win against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 7, 1984, at Soldier Field. (Bob Fila/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Walter Payton becomes the NFL’s all-time leader rusher

By Kori Rumore

October 7, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Oct. 7, according...

The O'Leary family plot includes the grave of Catherine O'Leary of Great Chicago Fire infamy at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Aug. 30, 2021. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Catherine O’Leary — and cow — exonerated by City Council 126 years after the Great Chicago Fire

By Kori Rumore

October 6, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Oct. 6, according...

Pope John Paul II in Grant Park in Chicago in October 1979. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: Pope John Paul II conducts sermon by the shore in Grant Park

By Kori Rumore

October 5, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Oct. 5, according...

The Chicago Special Olympics, co-sponsored by the Chicago Park District and the Joseph Kennedy Jr. foundation, was held for the first time on July 20, 1968, at Soldier Field in Chicago. The event provided an athletic competition for people with disabilities. (William Yates/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Special Olympics debuts at Soldier Field

By Kori Rumore

July 20, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 20, according...

A piping plover forages along the water on June 10, 2019, at Montrose Beach in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Piping plovers Monty and Rose force cancellation of Montrose Beach music festival

By Kori Rumore

July 19, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 19, according...

People from El Salvador hide their faces during an Aug. 8, 1982, visit to the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ in Chicago. Seated with the group is James Corbett, left, one of the founders of the sanctuary movement, which assists people fleeing civil war and seeking political asylum in the United State. (Arthur Walker/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Wellington Church becomes 2nd in the nation to join the sanctuary movement

By Kori Rumore

July 18, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 18, according...

A policeman scans the roof of the Cabrini-Green housing project with a sniper scope on a rifle on July 17, 1970. Two policemen were shot and killed by sniper fire from a high-rise in the projects on the Near North Side the night before as they walked across Seward Park. (Walter Kale/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: 2 police officers killed by snipers inside Cabrini-Green high-rise

By Kori Rumore

July 17, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 17, according...

Mick Jagger, center, and the Rolling Stones perform at the Aragon Ballroom on Sept. 16, 2002, the last concert of their Chicago residency. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/baiduhai)

Vintage baiduhai: When the Aragon Ballroom hosted Prince, Janis Joplin and more

By Kori Rumore

July 16, 2026 at 8:28 p.m.

The Aragon was long criticized for its poor acoustics, but its stage has hosted some...

An alligator floats in the Humboldt Park lagoon on July 9, 2019, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Chance the Snapper’ caught in the Humboldt Park lagoon

By Kori Rumore

July 16, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 16, according...

Gen. Italo Balbo, center, shakes hands with Italian Americans at the Drake Hotel on July 15, 1933, in Chicago. Balbo was returning from a ceremony at Soldier Field where he and his aviators were greeted by federal, state, city and World's Fair officials and cheered by a crowd of 60,000 people. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: 24 seaplanes led by Italian Gen. Italo Balbo splash down at Navy Pier

By Kori Rumore

July 15, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 15, according...

The eight nurses killed by Richard Speck on July 14, 1966, in Chicago, from top left are, Gloria Davy, Suzanne Farris, Merlita Gargullo, Mary Ann Jordan, Patricia Matusek, Valentina Pasion, Nina Jo Schmale and Pamela Wilkening. (Curtis Thatcher Associates)

Today in Chicago History: Richard Speck kills eight student nurses in their South Side townhouse

By Kori Rumore

July 14, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 14, according...

The elderly were especially susceptible to the hot weather of the 1995 heat wave. This 101-year-old woman was overcome by heat when an electrical fire knocked out the power in her apartment building. (Walter Kale/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Temperature hits 106 degrees at Midway Airport during 1995 heat wave

By Kori Rumore

July 13, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 13, according...

The anti-disco promotion at Comiskey Park between games of a planned doubleheader in 1979 drew thousands of people, who poured onto the field between games. Damage done during the demonstration forced the Sox to forfeit the second game. (Ed Wagner Jr./baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park

By Kori Rumore

July 12, 2026 at 8:09 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 12, according...