Today in Chicago History

In this Nov. 4, 1948, photo at St. Louis' Union Station, President Harry S. Truman holds up an election day edition of the Chicago Daily Tribune which — based on early results — mistakenly announced "Dewey Defeats Truman." (Byron Rollins/AP)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Dewey Defeats Truman’

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Sen.-elect Barack Obama, with daughter Malia, wife Michelle and daughter Sasha, at his victory celebration at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago on Nov. 2, 2004. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Illinois Democrat Barack Obama elected to US Senate

By Kori Rumore

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

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

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: Bears Hall of Famer Walter ‘Sweetness’ Payton dies

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Dick Portillo at the Portillo's on East Golf Road in Schaumburg on Dec. 21, 1990. (John Kringas/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Dick Portillo opens the Dog House in Villa Park

By Kori Rumore

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

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

When David Schumacher, owner of a hardware store at 3634 N. Central Ave., Chicago, hung a Chicago flag atop his business, he said no one recognized what it was. Still, he told the Tribune in August 1958 that he would continue flying it. (baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: The city’s now iconic flag adopted by City Council

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Chicago Animal Care and Control employee Adrian Densmore is with a coyote that was found inside a Loop sandwich shop on April 3, 2007. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: A coyote walks into a Quiznos

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Employees of Eric Johnson Inc. wholesale florists at 630 S. Wabash Ave. sort flowers in April 1962. (baiduhai historical photo)

Vintage baiduhai: Garden shows, chrysanthemums and ‘Urbs in Horto’

By Kori Rumore

April 2, 2026 at 7:11 p.m.

Flower vendors were banned from the city's streets in 1899, but Chicago by the 1920s...

Svengoolie, aka Rich Koz, films his long-running classic horror movie show on Oct. 18, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Svengoolie’ broadcast across the country for the first time

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Either on foot or by car, the traveling is slow for Chicagoans who are making their way home through the slushy snow that fell on the city in a record-breaking spring storm on April 1, 1970. The commuters are walking north over the Morgan Street bridge. (David Nystrom/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Record-breaking April snowfall — 8 inches — socks evening commuters in 1970

By Kori Rumore

April 1, 2026 at 9:37 a.m.

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

Mayor Jane Byrne shakes hands with youngsters on April 2, 1981, outside a Cabrini-Green building where Bryne earlier waved to the crowd from the window of her fourth-floor apartment. (Jerry Tomaselli/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Cabrini-Green’s new resident — Mayor Jane Byrne

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Working overnight, construction crews used backhoes to tear up large sections of the runway at Meigs Field, March 31, 2003. The X's effectively shut down the lakefront airport since no traffic could take off or land. (David Klobucar/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Mayor Richard M. Daley orders Meigs Field shut down

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Miserable was the word for the weather all over Chicago on March 29, 1964. Mrs. Helen Marshall holds the hand of her daughter Gale, 3, as they cross a slushy Randolph Street at State Street. (John Vogele/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: The snowiest Easter ever in the city

By Kori Rumore

March 29, 2026 at 7:37 a.m.

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

An exterior view of the Chicago Stadium, circa 1932. (baiduhai historical photo)

Today in Chicago History: Chicago Stadium — the original ‘Madhouse on Madison’ — opens

By Kori Rumore

March 29, 2026 at 7:36 a.m.

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