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...

Al Capone in 1932 in a Pullman railroad car on his way to prison in Atlanta after a prolonged court battle. At right is U.S. Marshal H.C.W. Laubenheimer, who accompanied Capone. (baiduhai archive)

Today in Chicago History: Al Capone travels to prison, ‘I’ve got to do it, that’s all’

By Kori Rumore

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

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 4, according...

An aerial view shows the topping off of the Sears Tower on May 3, 1973, in Chicago. (James O’Leary/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Sears Tower becomes the world’s tallest building

By Kori Rumore

May 3, 2026 at 8:05 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 3, according...

As with the 1894 opening at the Palace of Fine Arts in Jackson Park, crowds line up when the Field Museum opens in its Grant Park location on May 2, 1921. (Field Museum)

Today in Chicago History: 8,000 people attend opening of Field Museum on the lakefront

By Kori Rumore

May 22, 2026 at 7:46 p.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 2, according...

A crowd marches in a peaceful May Day parade in Chicago's Loop toward Grant Park on May 1, 1934. Among the paraders, were Joseph Weber, secretary of the Trade Union Unity League, William Gebert, communist organizer, and Nina Spies, widow of August Spies, who was hanged for his role in the Haymarket Riot of 1886. The leaders of the demonstration said the parade represented "a fight against war and fascism and for workers' unemployment insurance legislation." (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: ‘May Day’ born after workers take to the streets to demand an 8-hour workday

By Kori Rumore

May 1, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 1, according...

E.F. Sparks wades home at 117th Street and Pulaski Road in Alsip after donning a pair of shorts for a trip to the grocery store and wrapping the vittles in his raincoat on Oct. 10, 1954. (Dan Tortorell/baiduhai)

Vintage baiduhai: The city’s 10 wettest months on record

By Kori Rumore

April 30, 2026 at 3:19 p.m.

We wondered how April 2026 compares with the rainiest months in the city's history. In...

Vietnamese try to scale the high U.S. Embassy wall in desperate attempts to get aboard the evacuation flights in Saigon in 1975. (AP)

Today in Chicago History: Last American journalists — including Tribune reporters — leave Vietnam after Saigon falls

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Cubs manager Lee Elia reflects on the day’s events after an evening news conference in Cubs general manager Dallas Green’s office apologizing for his outburst in which he criticized the team’s fans. (Chuck Berman/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Cubs manager Lee Elia delivers epic, expletive-laden rant

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose reacts after an injury during the fourth quarter of Game 1 in the first round of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, in Chicago on April 28, 2012. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Bulls’ Derrick Rose tears his ACL in a playoff game

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Chicago Bears first-round draft pick Mitch Trubisky is interviewed at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on April 28, 2017. (Chris Walker/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Bears trade up to draft QB Mitch Trubisky

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Chef Paul Katz of Harry Caray’s pours sauce over foie gras and a diver sea scallop on Aug. 22, 2006, the day that Chicago’s ban on the delicacy went into effect. Some restaurants sold foie gras in protest and the Illinois Restaurant Association filed suit against the city. (Charles Cherney/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Foie gras banned by City Council. Sacré bleu!

By Kori Rumore

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

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