Today in Chicago History

Earl “Hymie” Weiss, shown circa 1925, became a top bootlegger and gangster in the Prohibition era before getting assassinated while walking on State Street. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

Vintage baiduhai: The violent life and ambush death of gang leader Earl ‘Hymie’ Weiss

By Kori Rumore

October 8, 2026 at 6:36 p.m.

Here's a look back at Weiss's life and death, with rarely seen photos and stories...

Kelvin Kiptum celebrates his Chicago Marathon world record victory, 2:00:35, with Bank of America Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski, left, in Chicago’s Grant Park on Oct. 8, 2023. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum sets a world record in the Chicago Marathon

By Kori Rumore

October 8, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Oct. 8, according...

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...

Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros, center, is flanked by Mayor Richard M. Daley, left, and former Chicago Housing Authority Chairman Vince Lane during a news conference on May 31, 1995, in Chicago where he discussed the takeover of the CHA by HUD. Cisneros discounted talk of mismanagement and gave high praise to the former chairman's seven-year reign. He also said the move was part of HUD efforts to improve public housing nationwide. (Beth A. Keiser/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Chicago Housing Authority taken over by federal officials

By Kori Rumore

May 30, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 30, according...

In 1962, Buck O'Neil became the first African American coach in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: Cubs hire Buck O’Neil, who becomes 1st Black coach in major league history

By Kori Rumore

May 29, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 29, according...

As many as 1 billion TV viewers worldwide are estimated to have seen views of the Chicago skyline during telecasts of the World Cup's opening ceremony on June 17, 1994, at Soldier Field. (Eduardo Contreras/baiduhai)

Vintage baiduhai: When the city hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup at Soldier Field

By Kori Rumore

May 28, 2026 at 3:15 p.m.

Crowds, and world leaders, showed up in force to celebrate the five countries whose World...

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who is accused of evading bank regulations and lying to the FBI in a hush money case, leaves after his arraignment at the Dirksen Courthouse before Judge Thomas M. Durkin on June 9, 2015. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Ex-US House Speaker Dennis Hastert charged with lying to FBI

By Kori Rumore

May 28, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 28, according...

Looking north from the bottom left of the midway are the famous Travel and Transport Building, the Chrysler Motors Building and Northerly Island at top right, where the Sky Ride can be faintly seen at the Century of Progress World's Fair. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: Century of Progress — the city’s second world’s fair — opens with parade

By Kori Rumore

May 27, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 27, according...

Buckingham Fountain is under construction, circa 1926. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: Buckingham Fountain opens

By Kori Rumore

May 26, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 26, according...

Dan Goodwin makes his way up the Sears Tower on May 25, 1981, as would-be rescuers wait on scaffolding. But the 25-year-old daredevil from Las Vegas rushed by them and waved on his way to the top of the giant building, the world's tallest. (Walter Kale/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Spider’ Dan Goodwin scales the Sears Tower, then the world’s tallest building

By Kori Rumore

May 25, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 25, according...

Harry Aleman, center, leaves court after his May 24, 1977, acquittal in the shotgun slaying of a union official. He was later retried and found guilty of the crime. (Hardy Wieting/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Hit man Harry ‘The Hook’ Aleman acquitted — after Judge Frank Wilson was bribed

By Kori Rumore

May 24, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 24, according...

High above Marriott's Great America in Gurnee, Jerry Stockdale takes a break from painting the American Eagle roller coaster in April 1981, which is scheduled to roar to life in May. At least 9,000 gallons of white paint were needed to spruce up the 127-foot tall ride, which took more than 20,000 hours to construct. (Walter Kale/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: American Eagle roller coaster opens at Marriott’s (now Six Flags) Great America

By Kori Rumore

May 23, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 23, according...

Officers remove a body from the wreckage of a Continental Airlines passenger plane, which crashed in a farm field in Unionville, Missouri, south of the Iowa town of Centerville, on May 22, 1962. Wreckage of the plane was strewn along a 10-mile path. (AP)

Today in Chicago History: Passenger’s dynamite causes midair explosion on plane that departed O’Hare

By Kori Rumore

May 22, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 22, according...