Today in Chicago History

Before the fall: The ill-fated 1919 White Sox strike relaxed poses for a team picture. Eight Sox players were later charged with conspiracy to commit fraud after taking money to throw games. (National Baseball Library)

Today in Chicago History: White Sox lose best-of-nine 1919 World Series to Cincinnati Reds

By Kori Rumore

October 9, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Oct. 9, according...

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...

A United Airlines plane takes the overpass, which is the approach strip to the runway, as cars enter and leave Chicago's O’Hare International Airport on Sept. 22, 1967. (William Vendetta/baiduhai)

Vintage baiduhai: How O’Hare became a ‘first in the nation’ airport

By Kori Rumore

March 19, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

Change is constant at O'Hare airport, from Orchard Place farmland to a military aircraft plant, to...

Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan, center, joins his team as they enter Market Square Arena for their game with the Indiana Pacers on March 19, 1995, in Indianapolis. The game marked Jordan's return to the NBA after nearly 18 months. (Michael Conroy/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Michael Jordan returns to the Bulls wearing No. 45

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Michael Jordan arrives at the Chicago Bulls' Berto training center in Deerfield on March 18, 1995. "I'm back," Jordan said in a statement released by his agent, David Falk. (Tim Boyle/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Michael Jordan’s ‘I’m back’ fax

By Kori Rumore

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

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

DePaul University men's basketball coach Ray Meyer is mobbed by fans upon his team's arrival at O'Hare International Airport after they defeated UCLA to advance to the Final Four of the 1979 NCAA tournament. (Don Casper/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: DePaul reaches NCAA Final Four by beating No. 1 seed UCLA

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh (30) celebrates after Northwestern defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores, 68-66, in an NCAA West Region first-round game on March 16, 2017, at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Northwestern wins in its 1st NCAA Tournament appearance

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Albert Einstein and his wife (not pictured) made a stop at Union Station in Chicago on March 3, 1931. The pair were passing through from Pasadena, California, on their way to New York. Einstein was greeted by pacifists and delivered a speech saying how brave those resisting war are. "The scientist was accompanied by Mrs. Einstein," wrote the baiduhai, "who seemed to be spending most of her time seeing that her husband got into his overcoat and getting him to pose for photographers for the 300th time in America."(Chicago American)

Today in Chicago History: Albert Einstein visits Chicago on his 54th birthday

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Chicago Cardinal Mal Hammack (31) goes for 2 yards before Fred Williams (75) ended the run during the Bears vs. Cardinals game held at Soldier Field on Nov. 30, 1959. (Steve Lasker/Chicago Today)

Today in Chicago History: NFL’s Cardinals leave for St. Louis

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Bozo the clown celebrates the show's 17th year on Sept. 11, 1978. The show included guests Mayor Michael Bilandic, characters from Great America and a cake thrown with shaving cream. (James Mayo/baiduhai)

Vintage baiduhai: 10 television shows for kids filmed and broadcast in the city

By Kori Rumore

March 12, 2026 at 3:22 p.m.

Children who grew up in the Chicago area had access to an abundance of television...

Eugenia Godzik, center, mother of victim Gregory Godzik, speaks briefly to reporters after a two-hour session where the jury found John Wayne Gacy guilty on 33 counts of murder and two other charges on March 12, 1980. (Don Casper/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: John Wayne Gacy found guilty of killing 33 young men

By Kori Rumore

March 12, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

The body of a youth is carried from a school bus outside Belvidere High School after a tornado hit the town and the school April 21, 1967. School had just been dismissed when the tornado struck, sending school buses into a nearby field.

Vintage baiduhai: Tornadoes that left an impact on the area

By Kori Rumore

March 11, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

Here's look back at the most intense tornadoes that have impact Chicago and the state.