Today in Chicago History

The fatal shooting of Earl “Hymie” Weiss and Patrick Murray took place near Schofield’s flower shop, headquarters of the North Side Gang, in October 1926. Machine-gun fire came from a window at 740 N. State St. Three others were injured in the shooting. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Hymie’ Weiss gunned down across the street from Holy Name Cathedral

By Kori Rumore

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

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

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...

In this July 17, 2012, photo, JoAnn Zywicki sits by a photo of her daughter Tammy Zywicki at her home in Ocala, Florida. Tammy was stabbed to death along an Illinois freeway while returning to college in Iowa, and her mother, 70, who now lives in central Florida, has managed to get through the onslaught of birthdays, holidays and special occasions that often torment families of the murdered. (John Raoux/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Grinnell College senior Tammy Zywicki disappears after her car broke down on I-80

By Kori Rumore

August 23, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Surrounded by members of the community, family and friends, Marlene Chaidez, center, attends a vigil on Sept. 7, 2021, for Miguel Cisneros Diaz, 19, who drowned on Aug. 22, 2021, in Lake Michigan near Tobey Prinz Beach Park in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Drowning death prompts Park District to install life rings along lakefront

By Kori Rumore

August 22, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Students on a field trip from Muchin College Prep react as the solar eclipse comes out from behind the clouds briefly in Millennium Park in downtown Chicago on Aug. 21, 2017. (Alexandra Wimley/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Total solar eclipse stuns southern Illinois, but left city stuck in the clouds

By Kori Rumore

August 21, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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Screaming teens watch the Beatles perform on Aug. 20, 1965, at Comiskey Park. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: The Beatles play two shows at Comiskey Park, and scarcely a note was heard

By Kori Rumore

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

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

A monarch butterfly is on a coneflower at Millennium Park in Chicago on July 26, 2019. (José M. Osorio/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Monarch butterfly becomes state’s official insect

By Kori Rumore

August 19, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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Police direct protesters on West Adams Street on Aug. 18, 1994, when about 1,000 people demonstrated outside an opening event at the new United Center. Protesters wanted more jobs to go to minorities. (Chuck Berman/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: United Center opens with a grand gala inside — and protests outside

By Kori Rumore

August 18, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Ozzy Osbourne and wife Sharon sing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" at a Cubs game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 17, 2003, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (José M. Osorio/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Ozzy Osbourne sings seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field

By Kori Rumore

August 17, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Binti Jua, an 8-year-old female gorilla, carries an injured 3-year-old boy to a service gate after the child fell more than 15 feet to a concrete floor in the primate exhibit at Brookfield Zoo on Aug. 16, 1996. The boy climbed a 3-foot railing and fell in the primate exhibit at the zoo and was picked up by the motherly gorilla, who carried him in her arms to a gate where zookeepers could get him. (WLS-TV/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Brookfield Zoo gorilla cradles small child who fell into her Tropic World habitat

By Kori Rumore

August 16, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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Mayor Richard J. Daley (closest to the sculpture) unveils the 162-ton, 50-foot-high steel artwork by Picasso as a gift "to the people of Chicago" on Aug. 15, 1967. (baiduhai archive)

Today in Chicago History: Pablo Picasso’s steel sculpture — ‘a cow sticking out its tongue’ — unveiled

By Kori Rumore

August 15, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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The first night game at Comiskey Park on Aug. 14, 1939, was a novelty not only for managers Jimmy Dykes of the White Sox and Fred Haney of the St. Louis Browns, but for the fans as well. More than 35,000 of them attended, and after Charles Comiskey II threw the switch, they saw the Sox win 5-2. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: White Sox flip the switch to host city’s first MLB night game

By Kori Rumore

August 14, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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