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 casket containing the body of Al Capone is carried from the hearse to the gravesite at Mount Olivet Cemetery in 1947. The Prohibition-era gangster was buried in a simple ceremony during near zero cold weather. A blanket of gardenias topped with a few orchids was spread over Capone's heavy bronze casket. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: Former Outfit boss Al Capone dies in Florida

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Airport employees wear face masks in Terminal 5 at O’Hare International Airport on Jan. 24, 2020. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: First COVID-19 case confirmed in Illinois

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Reporters tour a "State of the Art Car' on Jan. 23, 1975. (Arthur Walker/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Tomorrow’s transit car is here’

By Kori Rumore

January 23, 2026 at 6:07 a.m.

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

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta, pose with neighborhood children in their new apartment at 1550 S. Hamlin Ave. in Chicago on Jan. 26, 1966. King and his family moved into the poor neighborhood to shed light on the living conditions of Black people in Chicago in 1966. (Tom Kinahan/baiduhai)

Vintage baiduhai: When the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. moved to the city

By Kori Rumore

January 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner came to the city in January 1966 to assist with...

Officials gather near where the bodies of Barbara and Patricia Grimes were found lying in a ditch along German Church Road west of Willow Springs on Jan, 22, 1957. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: Naked bodies of the Grimes sisters found near Burr Ridge

By Kori Rumore

January 22, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Virginia McCaskey celebrates with Terry Bradshaw after the Chicago Bears won the NFC Championship game 39-14 against the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 21, 2007. (John Smierciak/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Bears earn second trip to the Super Bowl — their first in 21 years

By Kori Rumore

January 21, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Walking amid a field of steaming potholes on Jan. 20, 1985, a lone Michigan Avenue pedestrian braved the chill of the coldest day on record in Chicago — minus 27 degrees. (José Moré/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Minus 27 degrees — the city’s all-time low temperature

By Kori Rumore

January 20, 2026 at 8:31 a.m.

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

Iva Toguri D’Aquino, once known as "Tokyo Rose," at a news conference after she was pardoned by President Gerald Ford on Jan. 19, 1977. (Ernie Cox Jr./baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Tokyo Rose’ pardoned by the president

By Kori Rumore

January 19, 2026 at 9:32 a.m.

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

Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith is congratulated after the Bears beat the New Orleans Saints 39-14 in the NFC Championship game at Soldier Field on Jan. 21, 2007 in Chicago. (Jim Prisching/baiduhai)

Vintage baiduhai: Bears playoff appearances — including the ‘Sneakers Game,’ ‘Fog Bowl’ and ‘Double Doink’

By Kori Rumore

January 18, 2026 at 10:03 p.m.

Here's a look back at each of the Bears' playoff games — including two trips...

Victims are removed down a slope using a safety rope after two commuter trains collided Jan. 18, 1993. Seven people were killed in the crash near Gary. (John Smiercak/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Motorman ignores red light causing head-on train collision that kills 7 near Gary

By Kori Rumore

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

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