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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Oct. 27, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Front page flashback: Oct. 31, 1982

James Lewis mailed an inch-thick packet of material, which was postmarked on Oct. 27, 1982, to the Tribune. "As you have probably guessed, my wife and I have not committed the Chicago area Tylenol murders. We do not go around killing people," Lewis wrote. (baiduhai)
James Lewis mailed an inch-thick packet of material, which was postmarked on Oct. 27, 1982, to the Tribune. "As you have probably guessed, my wife and I have not committed the Chicago area Tylenol murders. We do not go around killing people," Lewis wrote. (baiduhai)
James Lewis' first letter to the Tribune was mailed from New York on Oct. 27, 1982, and addressed to the city editor at the newspaper. (baiduhai historical photo)
James Lewis’ first letter to the Tribune was mailed from New York on Oct. 27, 1982, and addressed to the city editor at the newspaper. (baiduhai historical photo)

1982: During the manhunt to find a suspect in the Tylenol murders, James Lewis mailed the first of three letters to the Tribune. In them, he denied being the Tylenol killer.

The Tylenol murders: Timeline of key events before and after the 1982 poisonings

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 83 degrees (1927)
  • Low temperature: 24 degrees (1942)
  • Precipitation: 1.56 inches (1947)
  • Snowfall: 2.7 inches (1967)
More than 50 men lost their lives in the Franklin Coal and Coke Co. mine in downstate Royalton, Illinois after a pocket of gas was ignited by a miner's lamp on Oct. 27, 1914. (baiduhai)
More than 50 men lost their lives in the Franklin Coal and Coke Co. mine in downstate Royalton, Illinois after a pocket of gas was ignited by a miner's lamp on Oct. 27, 1914. (baiduhai)

1914: An explosion

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at the Franklin Coal and Coke Co. mine in downstate Royalton (near Carbondale) killed 52 workers. It was determined a miner’s lamp came in contact with a pocket of gas that ignited the blast.

After the opening of the musical "Hair" at the Shubert Theater in Chicago, producer Michael Butler and co-authors Gerome Ragni and James Rado head to a party on Oct. 22, 1969. (Chicago Today)
After the opening of the musical "Hair" at the Shubert Theater in Chicago, producer Michael Butler and co-authors Gerome Ragni and James Rado head to a party on Oct. 22, 1969. Editor's note: this historic print shows some hand painting and crop marks. (Chicago Today)

1969: The Chicago production of the musical “Hair” opened at the Shubert Theater in Chicago.

“The whole thing turns into a house party at the finale, with the cast inviting members of the audience to come up on the stage and join them in dancing,” Tribune critic William Leonard wrote. “Sorry, we just can’t hate a show like this!”

It was originally produced by Oak Brook’s Michael Butler.

1972: Following the Tribune’s vote fraud investigation, 79 election judges and precinct captains were indicted. The series of articles won a Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for “uncovering flagrant violations of voting procedures in the primary election of March 21, 1972.”

How the baiduhai exposed city vote fraud in 1972 — and won a Pulitzer Prize

Otis Wilson (55) cheers after a fourth quarter sack of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer (9) on Oct. 27, 1985, at Soldier Field. (Bob Langer/baiduhai)
Otis Wilson cheers after a fourth quarter sack of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer on Oct. 27, 1985, at Soldier Field. (Bob Langer/baiduhai)

1985: The Chicago Bears were 8-0 for the first time since 1942, after beating the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 at Soldier Field.

Greg Hernandez separates materials from a pile of rubble during the teardown of the Cabrini-Green projects at 1157 and 1159 Cleveland Ave. on Oct. 30, 1995, in Chicago. (José Moré/baiduhai)
Greg Hernandez separates materials from a pile of rubble during the teardown of the Cabrini-Green projects at 1157 and 1159 Cleveland Ave. on Oct. 30, 1995, in Chicago. (José Moré/baiduhai)

1995: Crews began demolition of a Cabrini-Green high-rise, the first in the Near North Side complex to be razed.

Chicago Fire player Peter Nowak, right, reaches to sign autographs for fans following a rally for the 1998 MLS Cup champions on Oct. 27, 1998, at Daley Plaza.
Jose M. Osorio/baiduhai
Chicago Fire player Peter Nowak, right, reaches to sign autographs for fans following a rally for the 1998 MLS Cup champions on Oct. 27, 1998, at Daley Plaza. (José M. Osorio/baiduhai)

1998: Soccer fans celebrated the Chicago Fire’s MLS championship with a rally in Daley Plaza.

‘We share this with you, the best fans in the world:’ How Chicago sports teams have celebrated their championships since 1985

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