Today in Chicago History

Edmonton Oilers star Wayne Gretzky (99) serves as a screen for Keith Lowe's shot, which streaked past Chicago Blackhawks goalie Tony Esposito (35) during the first period Oct. 10, 1979, at Chicago Stadium. Gretzky was credited with an assist on the goal. The Hawks won 4-2. (Edward Wagner Jr./baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Wayne Gretzky makes NHL debut at Chicago Stadium

By Kori Rumore

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

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

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...

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 22, 2008. (Scott Strazzante/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Bears beat Packers in OT during their coldest game ever at Soldier Field

By Kori Rumore

December 22, 2025 at 4:30 a.m.

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

John Wayne Gacy in the back seat of a police car as he is transferred from the Des Plaines Police Department to Cook County Jail's Cermak Health Services for observation on Dec. 23, 1978. (William Yates/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: John Wayne Gacy arrested in suspected deaths of 33 boys and young men

By Kori Rumore

December 21, 2025 at 4:30 a.m.

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

Mayor Richard J. Daley and his wife, Eleanor, are outside their polling place at 35th Street and Lowe Avenue on April 1, 1975, in Chicago. Daley was up for reelection for an unprecedented sixth term as mayor of Chicago. (George Quinn/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Mayor Richard J. Daley, who held the office for 21 years, dies of a heart attack

By Kori Rumore

December 20, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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

By July 16, 2015, Chicago's Uptown Theatre had fallen into disrepair. (José M. Osorio/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Uptown Theatre hosts its last concert — J. Geils Band

By Kori Rumore

December 19, 2025 at 11:08 a.m.

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

U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service agents in search of immigrants living in the country without permanent legal status check the ID card of a cabdriver at the Westin Hotel on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago on Dec. 17, 1985. The driver was cleared by agents after 20 minutes. Approximately 15 cabdrivers were detained at the nearby Merchandise Mart earlier in the morning, leaving their cabs to be towed. (Ernie Cox Jr./baiduhai)

Vintage baiduhai: Taxi drivers targeted in 1985 surprise immigration raids

By Kori Rumore

December 26, 2025 at 2:20 p.m.

January 1985 began with the city assisting the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in its...

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who resigned a week ago as head of Operation Breadbasket of the Southern Christian Leadership Council, gestures as he addresses a large crowd on Dec. 18, 1971, in announcing the formation of a new organization, PUSH (People United to Save Humanity). (AP)

Today in Chicago History: The Rev. Jesse Jackson announces the formation of Operation PUSH

By Kori Rumore

December 18, 2025 at 8:54 a.m.

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

One of the few CTA buses on the streets is greeted by shouting strikers at the Kimball Avenue "L" station on Dec. 19, 1979, but there was no violence at any of the bus barns or rapid transit terminals. (Michael Budrys/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: 11,000 CTA workers walk off the job, stranding 700,000 daily riders

By Kori Rumore

December 19, 2025 at 9:20 a.m.

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

Police and FBI surround a suspected bank robber's van in Hanover Park on Lake Street, east of Barrington Road on Dec. 16, 1991. After the FBI and local authorities arrested bank robbery suspect Jeffrey Erickson in a Schaumburg parking lot, his wife, Jill, escaped and led police on a bullet-filled chase before being cornered in a Hanover Park subdivision. Police officers rushed toward the van after it came to a stop, its windshield shattered by bullet holes. (Eduardo Contreras/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Bearded bandit’ Jeffrey Erickson captured as his wife leads police on 11-mile car chase

By Kori Rumore

December 19, 2025 at 8:54 a.m.

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

Chicago Bears quarterback Sid Luckman, left, gets a hug and a kiss from teammate George McAfee, center, as Ray McLean watches in the locker room following Chicago's defeat of the New York Giants for the NFL championship at the Polo Grounds in New York on Dec. 15, 1946. Luckman's 19-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter broke a 14-14 tie. The Bears won 24-14. (J.D. Collins/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Bears defeated the New York Giants 24-14 to win team’s 7th NFL title

By Kori Rumore

December 15, 2025 at 4:30 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Dec. 15, according...

Faith Yoshida, center, Charles Hankus and Joseph C. Faulkner hold up the new Illinois Lottery tickets that go on sale Dec. 10, 1974. (William Yates/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Illinois becomes the 10th state to get its own lottery

By Kori Rumore

December 14, 2025 at 4:30 a.m.

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