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...

Edward Burke, second from right, on the day he was sworn in as alderman, is with his mother, Ann Burke, and Judge Joseph Hermes, left, and the Rev. Richard Wolfe of Visitation Parish, in City Council Chambers on March 14, 1969. (George Quinn/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Edward Burke, 25, becomes city’s second-youngest alderman

By Kori Rumore

March 11, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 11, according...

Marshall Field and Co.'s State Street store at Wabash and Randolph streets in 2005. (Chuck Berman/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Marshall Field’s put up for sale by Target

By Kori Rumore

March 10, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 10, according...

Gov. Pat Quinn signs into law a bill ending the death penalty in Illinois on March 9, 2011, at the Capitol in Springfield. With Quinn are sponsors Karen Yarbrough, third from right, and Kwame Raoul, second from left. (Nancy Stone/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Illinois abolishes the death penalty

By Kori Rumore

March 10, 2026 at 8:37 a.m.

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

University of Illinois-Chicago coach Jimmy Collins cheers as news comes that the team made the NCAA tournament on March 8, 1998. (Phil Velasquez/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Chicago Maroons, UIC Flames get ‘March Madness’

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Mayor Harold Washington, center, raises his hand as he talks about signing an executive order to assure that all residents of Chicago, regardless of nationality or citizenship, shall have fair and equal access to municipal benefits, opportunities and services on March 7, 1985. With Washington is his Latino Advisory Commission, including Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, third from right in background. (Carl Hugare/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Mayor Harold Washington halts cooperation with federal immigration authorities

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Chance the Rapper holds a news conference at Westcott Elementary School in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood on March 6, 2017. He met with Gov. Bruce Rauner the previous week about coming up with a plan for the cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools.
(Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Chance the Rapper cuts CPS a $1 million check as ‘call to action’

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Officials remove the body of actor-comedian John Belushi from a bungalow at the Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles where Belushi was found dead on March 5, 1982. Belushi, 33, died of an accidental drug overdose. (Lennox McLendon/AP)

Today in Chicago History: John Belushi’s death in LA shocks his hometown

By Kori Rumore

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

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

The Billy Goat Tavern celebrates its 50th anniversary with owner Sam Sianis, middle, behind the bar on March 6, 1984, at 430 N. Lower Michigan Ave. in Chicago. (Phil Greer/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Billy Goat Tavern — of ‘Cheezborger, cheezborger’ fame — opens on Michigan Avenue

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Chester Weger, right, shows state troopers how he tied the wrists of Lillian Oetting and Mildred Lindquist in the triple murder at Starved Rock State Park on Nov. 17, 1960. (Val Mazzenga/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Chester Weger convicted of Starved Rock murder

By Kori Rumore

March 3, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Former Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan departs from his lawyers' office on March 9, 2022, after making his first virtual court appearance after his indictment. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan indicted on federal racketeering charges

By Kori Rumore

March 2, 2026 at 4:30 a.m.

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