Today in Chicago History

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...

Donald Trump crosses the Wabash Avenue Bridge on Oct. 28, 2004, to attend the start of the demolition of the Sun-Times building in Chicago. (Scott Strazzante/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Donald Trump watches as Sun-Times building razed to build Trump Tower

By Kori Rumore

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

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

Bears quarterback Jim McMahon handles a Wilson football in the first half of the game against the Eagles on Nov. 13, 1983. (Phil Mascione/baiduhai)

Vintage baiduhai: Did you know sporting goods companies Spalding and Wilson started here?

By Kori Rumore

August 20, 2026 at 4:08 p.m.

Balls of all shapes and sizes and other equipment used in popular sports have been...

Illinois Gov. William Stratton, left, and Illinois Tollway Commission chairman Austin L. Wyman shake hands on Dec. 23, 1958, at the opening of the Tri-State Tollway at Cermak Road in Chicago. (Jim Mescall/Chicago American)

Today in Chicago History: First segment of the Illinois Tollway opens

By Kori Rumore

August 20, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Aug. 20, according...

A monarch butterfly is on a coneflower at Millennium Park in Chicago on July 26, 2019. (José M. Osorio/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Monarch butterfly becomes the state’s official insect

By Kori Rumore

August 19, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Aug. 19, according...

Police direct protesters on West Adams Street on Aug. 18, 1994, when about 1,000 people demonstrated outside an opening event at the new United Center. Protesters wanted more jobs to go to minorities. (Chuck Berman/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: United Center opens with a grand gala inside — and protests outside

By Kori Rumore

August 18, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Aug. 18, according...

Ozzy Osbourne and wife Sharon perform "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" at a Chicago Cubs game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 17, 2003, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (José M. Osorio/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: Ozzy Osbourne sings seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field

By Kori Rumore

August 17, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Aug. 17, according...

Binti Jua, an 8-year-old female gorilla, carries an injured 3-year-old boy to a service gate after the child fell more than 15 feet to a concrete floor in the primate exhibit at Brookfield Zoo on Aug. 16, 1996. The boy climbed a 3-foot railing and fell in the primate exhibit at the zoo and was picked up by the motherly gorilla, who carried him in her arms to a gate where zookeepers could get him. (WLS-TV/AP)

Today in Chicago History: Brookfield Zoo gorilla cradles small child who fell into her Tropic World habitat

By Kori Rumore

August 16, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Aug. 16, 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...