Today in Chicago History

Chicago Bears halfback Walter Payton acknowledges the cheers of the crowd after his record-setting afternoon in a 20-7 win against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 7, 1984, at Soldier Field. (Bob Fila/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Walter Payton becomes the NFL’s all-time leader rusher

By Kori Rumore

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

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

The O'Leary family plot includes the grave of Catherine O'Leary of Great Chicago Fire infamy at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Aug. 30, 2021. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Catherine O’Leary — and cow — exonerated by City Council 126 years after the Great Chicago Fire

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Pope John Paul II in Grant Park in Chicago in October 1979. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: Pope John Paul II conducts sermon by the shore in Grant Park

By Kori Rumore

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

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

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, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

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 host city’s first MLB night game

By Kori Rumore

August 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

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

The closed gates at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip turn away visitors as night falls on July 9, 2009. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Vintage baiduhai: Remembering the 2009 investigation into Burr Oak Cemetery

By Kori Rumore

August 13, 2026 at 3:34 p.m.

The shocking news last week of dozens of "decedents improperly stored" at a South Deering...

Meteorologist Tom Skilling works with computer graphics on May 28, 1992, at WGN-TV studios in Chicago. (Charles Cherney/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Tom Skilling signs on as meteorologist at WGN-TV

By Kori Rumore

August 13, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Aug. 13, according...

Chicago police officers carry Bernie Sanders, 21, to a police wagon from a civil rights demonstration at West 73rd Street and South Lowe Avenue in August 1963. He was charged with resisting arrest, found guilty and fined $25. He was a University of Chicago student at the time. (Tom Kinahan/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Bernie Sanders — then a University of Chicago student — arrested during South Side protest

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Though most children today do not know who Bud Billiken is or who he is supposed to represent, Billiken lives on each year in the parade of bands and floats that wind along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. (William Kelly/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: First Bud Billiken Parade rewards Chicago Defender newspaper hawkers

By Kori Rumore

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

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

A pedestrian walks past the entrance to the Essanay Studios building on Argyle Street in Chicago on July 30, 2012. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Essanay Studios — briefly home to Charlie Chaplin — opens for movie production

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Looking a little like something from a galaxy far, far away, Wrigley Field is bathed in light for its first night baseball game on Aug. 8, 1988, as traffic hurries by on Clark and Addison streets. The game, however, was canceled due to rain and fans had to wait until Aug. 9, 1988, for the first completed night game. (Frank Hanes/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Cubs shine in their 1st Wrigley Field night game that counted

By Kori Rumore

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

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

The crew of Chicago's Little Lady tour boat, Crystal Brown, from left, Audrey Rudd and Brian Burke, clean up the mess that was apparently dumped on them from a passing tour bus lavatory off of the Kinzie Street Bridge on Aug. 8, 2004. The Little Lady was giving an architectural tour along the river at the time of the incident. (Chuck Berman/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: The Dave Matthews Band bus incident

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Chicago Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux comes out of a game during the sixth inning on Aug. 7, 2004, against the Giants in San Francisco. Maddux earned his 300th win. (Phil Velasquez/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Cubs Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux gets 300th win

By Kori Rumore

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

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