Today in Chicago History

A phone booth sign is among items being stored on July 20, 2018 in the dining room of Cassandra O'Keefe of Chicago. (Chris Walker/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Most Chicagoans lost their 312 area code and got 773 instead

By Kori Rumore

October 12, 2026 at 2:25 p.m.

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

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...

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’ is born in a converted trolley barn

By Kori Rumore

February 5, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Today in Chicago History: ‘A slow-motion horror’ in the Loop kills 11 in CTA derailment during rush hour

By Kori Rumore

February 4, 2025 at 12:56 p.m.

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

Heather Mack, left, and her boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer, of Chicago, are handcuffed as they arrive at a courtroom during their trial in Bali, Indonesia, on March 31, 2015. Mack was imprisoned in Indonesia for the 2014 killing of her mother. (Firdia Lisnawati/AP)

Today in Chicago History: ‘I loved my mom,’ Heather Mack says from Bali jail

By Kori Rumore

February 3, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Police remove the bodies of five women killed in a shooting at the Lane Bryant store in Brookside Marketplace shopping center on 191st Street in Tinley Park on Feb. 2, 2008. (Scott Strazzante/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: 5 women slain inside a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park

By Kori Rumore

February 2, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Morton Grove police Officer Robert J. Jones holds all 12 handguns turned in by the town's residents after the village banned possession on Feb. 1, 1982. "They are the most photographed guns in the world," Jones said, speaking of the interest in the Morton Grove law. (Chuck Berman/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Morton Grove enacts first handgun ban in the US

By Kori Rumore

February 1, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Feb. 1, according...

The Rev. Jesse Jackson passes Mahalia Jackson's casket during funeral services at the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place on Feb. 1, 1972, in Chicago. (William Kelly/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Thousands say goodbye to Mahalia Jackson

By Kori Rumore

January 31, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 31, according...

Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan is escorted to a halfway house in Chicago on Jan. 30, 2013. Ryan arrived at a West Side halfway house after being released from a federal prison in Indiana. (José M. Osorio/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Former Gov. George Ryan leaves prison — 13 years after declaring moratorium on executions

By Kori Rumore

January 30, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 30, according...

Gov. Rod Blagojevich makes his closing statement to the Illinois Senate during Day Four of his impeachment trial on Jan. 29, 2009, in Springfield. (Michael Tercha/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich removed from office

By Kori Rumore

January 29, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 29, according...

Protesters block cars from passing at O'Hare International Airport on Jan. 28, 2017. U.S. authorities took more than a dozen travelers into custody at O'Hare in response to President Donald Trump's immigration order. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Fear, anger at O’Hare over Trump’s immigration order

By Kori Rumore

January 28, 2025 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 28, according...

President Donald Trump signs an executive order on extreme vetting for the refugee program at the Pentagon in Washington, Jan. 27, 2017. (Susan Walsh/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Local immigration reform advocates, Muslim leaders denounce President Trump’s travel ban

By Kori Rumore

January 27, 2025 at 10:14 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 27, according...