Today in Chicago History

The Medinah Temple at 600 N. Wabash Ave., March 14, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Medinah Temple opens

By Kori Rumore

October 30, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Magician Harry Houdini poses with reformed medium Annie Benninghofen, left, while in Chicago in 1926. (baiduhai historical photo)

Vintage baiduhai: Harry Houdini and the ‘reformed’ trumpet medium

By Kori Rumore

October 29, 2026 at 2:22 p.m.

Harry Houdini's campaign against spiritualists convinced one former fake medium to reveal in Chicago the...

Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller (86) holds his leg as he is carted off the field after an injury during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on Oct. 29, 2017, in New Orleans. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Save my leg, please,’ Bears tight end Zach Miller tells surgeon after injury

By Kori Rumore

October 29, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

United Airlines Chairman James Hartigan, right, Mayor Harold Washington, center, and architect Helmut Jahn gather before the opening of United's "Terminal of Tomorrow" at O'Hare International Airport on Aug. 3, 1987. (Ernie Cox Jr./baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Futuristic United Airlines terminal — designed by Helmut Jahn — opens at O’Hare airport

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Members of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, including Misty McMichael representing her husband, Steve McMichael, gather for pictures during the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at the Canton Civic Center on Aug. 2, 2024, in Canton, Ohio. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Bears greats Steve McMichael and Devin Hester inducted into Hall of Fame

By Kori Rumore

August 3, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

White Sox star first baseman Frank Thomas on May 22, 1997. (Phil Greer/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Frank Thomas makes his White Sox debut — and knocks in the winning run

By Kori Rumore

August 2, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Striking shopmen show their strength as the rail strikers parade through the Burnside district on Aug. 20, 1922, in the afternoon. At the head of the parade are former service men who carried a banner with the words: "We fought the world war so this country might live; let us live." (baiduhai historical archive)

Today in Chicago History: Great Railroad Strike suspends service on streetcars and elevated lines

By Kori Rumore

August 1, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Walter Payton embraces his 12-year-old son, Jarrett, after the boy introduced his father as an inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on July 31, 1993, in Canton, Ohio. (Mark Duncan/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Walter Payton inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

By Kori Rumore

July 31, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., kneeling on left, leads civil rights marchers singing and praying in front of a real estate office on Chicago's Southwest Side on Aug. 5, 1966. Neighborhoods that King visited included Chicago Lawn, where he was confronted by an angry white mob and was struck by a rock. "I have never seen, even in Mississippi and Alabama, mobs as hostile and as hate-filled as I've seen here in Chicago," King said at the time. (AP)

Vintage baiduhai: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic march through Marquette Park

By Kori Rumore

August 4, 2026 at 3:45 p.m.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. encountered one of the angriest mobs of his lifetime not...

The gate to the former Union Stock Yards, 850 W. Exchange Ave., in Chicago, on April 27, 2016. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Union Stock Yards close after 106 years on city’s South Side

By Kori Rumore

July 30, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

The New York Yankees' Anthony Rizzo celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of the team's game against the Miami Marlins on July 30, 2021, in Miami. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo traded to New York Yankees

By Kori Rumore

July 29, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

National Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, from left, Dick Butkus, Yale Lary, Ron Mix and Johnny Unitas pose with their busts after the enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio, on July 28, 1979. (AP)

Today in Chicago History: Bears linebacker Dick Butkus inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

By Kori Rumore

July 28, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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

Black men gather in front of Walgreen Drugs at 35th and State streets during the 1919 race riots in Chicago. Police officers stand in front of the crowd. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: Stoning death of Eugene Williams triggers 1919 race riots

By Kori Rumore

July 27, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

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