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...

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, at podium, and FBI officials announce arrests and criminal charges against more than a dozen defendants stemming from "Operation Family Secrets," an investigation of previously unsolved murders and other crimes involving the Chicago Outfit. (Phil Velasquez/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: FBI indicts Outfit leaders in ‘Operation Family Secrets’ investigation

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Carriage driver Dave Ford guides horse Callie as he takes Achal Jain and Neeta Wadhwa on a ride around the Near North Side on Aug. 29, 2018. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: City Council bans horse-drawn carriages

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Wilco's Jeff Tweedy performs during the second of two sold-out shows on Aug. 3, 2002, at the Riviera Theatre. (Erik Unger/for the baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Wilco releases ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,’ which Tribune called ‘best album’ of the year

By Kori Rumore

April 23, 2026 at 4:30 a.m.

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

Beverly Miller, who founded an anti-pollution group, is busy on April 21, 1970, preparing for the first Earth Day event. (Chicago American)

Today in Chicago History: First Earth Day celebrated with Civic Center rally

By Kori Rumore

April 22, 2026 at 4:30 a.m.

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

Excavators Tom Kasper, left, and Dan Constantino dig out the sand fill after the walls were blasted away at Chicago's Lexington Hotel, linked to mobster Al Capone, during a TV telecast on April 21, 1986. The only thing the dig turned up was old bottles and a sign. (John Swart/AP)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Mystery of Al Capone’s Vaults’ — with host Geraldo Rivera — seeks gangster’s riches

By Kori Rumore

April 21, 2026 at 4:30 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on April 21, according...

Brian Wrzesinski, 12, displays on Nov. 10, 1990 a 1968 Nolan Ryan rookie baseball card that he bought for $12 at Ball-Mart, an Addison baseball card shop. The owner of the store was suing Wrzesinski, claiming that the boy knew the card was worth much more when an inexperienced clerk sold it at the low price by mistake. The owner says the card was priced at $1,200, not $12. (Mark Elias/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Itasca baseball shop sells a card worth $1,200 to a 12-year-old for $12

By Kori Rumore

April 20, 2026 at 4:30 a.m.

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

Violet Bidwill, right, widow of Charles W. Bidwill Sr., after the Chicago Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 28-21, for the title in Chicago on Dec. 28, 1947. The Cardinals halfback Elmer Angsman passes a word of cheer to Billy Bidwill, center, and his mother Violet, after the game. (Paul Cannon/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Chicago Cardinals owner Charles Bidwill dies, leaving the team to his widow Violet

By Kori Rumore

April 19, 2026 at 7:59 a.m.

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

White Sox fans applaud during player introductions at the opening day of new Comiskey Park on April 18, 1991. (Charles Cherney/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: New Comiskey Park hosts its 1st home opener

By Kori Rumore

April 18, 2026 at 4:30 a.m.

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

Rita Crundwell, former comptroller for the city of Dixon, as her attorney briefly speaks with reporters after Crundwell pleaded guilty in Federal Court in Rockford on Nov. 14, 2012. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Dixon comptroller Rita Crundwell arrested for taking more than $30 million from city

By Kori Rumore

April 17, 2026 at 8:36 a.m.

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

Thousands line State Street to see the Apollo 11 astronauts and their families during a parade in their honor on Aug. 13, 1969, in Chicago. (baiduhai historical photo)

Vintage baiduhai: How the city welcomed home American astronauts

By Kori Rumore

April 16, 2026 at 8:51 p.m.

Parades, celebratory banquets and question-and-answer sessions with local students awaited space explorers who visited the...