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...

The modern design of one of the twin towers of Marina City contrasts with the ornate figure of Father Time on a corner of the North American Life Insurance Co. building at 35 E. Wacker Dr. in Chicago on Feb. 1, 1970. (Walter Neal/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Marina City — the iconic corncob towers — granted landmark status by City Council

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Jackie Robinson West coach Darold Butler, left, is escorted into a meeting room past a photograph of Jackie Robinson at the law firm of Henderson Adam on Feb. 12, 2015, in Chicago. A news conference was held to announce the firm would represent the Jackie Robinson West Little League team after it was stripped of its title. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Jackie Robinson West stripped of Little League baseball championship

By Kori Rumore

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

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

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama announces he will run for the office of president of the United States in front of the Old State Capitol building in Springfield on Feb. 10, 2007. (Milbert O. Brown/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: U.S. Sen. Barack Obama announces run for president in Springfield

By Kori Rumore

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

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

The Bagpipes & Drums of the Emerald Society arrive at the home of Chicago Bears great Steve McMichael in Homer Glen for a celebration of his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Feb. 9, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Bears’ Steve McMichael selected for Pro Football Hall of Fame

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Bob Collins, Chicago's top-rated WGN radio personality, was among three people killed in a midair collision of two small planes over Zion, on Feb. 8, 2000. (WGN)

Today in Chicago History: WGN-AM’s Bob Collins killed in midair plane collision in Zion

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Michael Jordan smiles during a press conference after signing with the White Sox on Feb. 7, 1994. (Eduardo Contreras/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Michael Jordan signs baseball contract with White Sox

By Kori Rumore

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

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

The jury walks to court at 26th Street and Chicago Avenue on Feb. 8, 1980, for the John Wayne Gacy trial in Chicago. (Karen Engstrom/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: John Wayne Gacy ‘killed people like he was swatting flies,’ prosecutor says at trial’s opening

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Olympic champion speedskater Bonnie Blair of Champaign wears a big grin as she waves to fans after being surprised with a warm and raucous welcome on March 1, 1994, while passing through O’Hare International Airport. (Michael Meinhardt/baiduhai)

Vintage baiduhai: Our local Winter Olympians of Games past

By Kori Rumore

February 5, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

As the 2026 Milan Cortina Games approach, take a look back at some Winter Olympians...

A poster of the 1971 Chicago production of "Grease" by the Kingston Mines Theatre Company hangs on a wall at the home of Hedda Lubin and Gary Houston on Jan. 27, 2016, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Grease’ performed for the first time — at June Pyskacek’s Kingston Mines Theatre Co.

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Firemen assist passengers past the twisted undercarriage of a CTA car, upended above Wabash Avenue on Feb. 4, 1977, in Chicago. (John Bartley/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: CTA derailment in the Loop during rush hour kills 11 people

By Kori Rumore

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

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