Chi-Town Time TravelConnect with us.

We all know Chicago is the top spot for new, fun and interesting things to do. But, did you know Chicago also has a rich and fascinating history that helps shape it into the place it is today? From the first plans for the city and the Chicago Fire to the Blackhawks becoming Stanley Cup Champions and the Cubs winning the World Series, Chicago history is all around us!

Let's go back in time and celebrate the places and faces that represent our beloved city! Each week, check back for the anniversaries of some of Chicago’s greatest moments.

• September 3 - September 9

  September 3, 1954
  German U-Boat Reaches Final Destination

  After moving from a specially constructed dock, the German U-Boat U-505 was placed in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.
  
  September 3, 1986
  Astros and Cubs Break Players-Used Record

  During an 18-inning game, the Cubs and Astros used a record 53 players.
  
  September 4, 1981
  Beyonce is Born

  Pay tribute to the Houston-born queen of pop at the "Queens on Wheels" rollerskating event held September 8-10 at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel.
  
  September 5, 1955
  WTTW Broadcasts in Chicago

  Channel 11, also known as PBS, broadcasted for the first time in Chicago.
  
  September 5, 1986
  Whitney Houston wins VMA

  The legendary singer's music will also be featured at the "Queens on Wheels" rollerskating event at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, September 8-10.
  
  September 7, 1986
  Instant Replay Used for the First Time

  The new feature was first used to review a play during a game pitting the Bears and the Browns against each other.
  
  September 9, 1913
  Association for Study of Negro Life & History Organizes

  The Association was first organized in Chicago.
  
  September 9, 1923
  Cliff Robertson is Born

  The spokesman for AT&T was born in California.

• August 27 - September 2

  August 27, 1884
  Harry Antrim is born

  Antrim, actor in Miracle on 34th Street, was born in Chicago.
  
  August 27, 1997
  Brandon Tartikoff dies

  Tartikoff was a TV executive for NBC.
  
  August 28, 1907
  UPS is founded

  UPS was founded by James E. Casey in Seattle, Washington.
  
  August 28, 1942
  Bears Defeat All Stars in NFL All Star Game

  The Bears defeated the All Stars, 21-0.
  
  August 29, 1935
  William Friedkin is born

  Friedkin was a director, producer and writer involved in the Exorcist and The French Connection.
  
  August 31, 1955
  First Solar Powered Automobile

  The First solar powered automobile was demonstrated to the public on the streets of Chicago.
  
  September 2, 1965
  Ernie Banks Hits 400th Homerun

  Ernie Banks was a shortstop for the Chicago Cubs.

• August 20 - August 26

  August 20, 1993
  Howard Stern is Fired

  The Chicago radio personality had previously worked for WLUP-AM Chicago.

  August 21, 1929
  Chicago Cardinals Leave Town

  The team became the first professional football team to train outside of their town.

  August 21, 1965
  Jim Bullinger is Born

  The Chicago Cubs pitcher was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

  August 21, 1968
  Democratic Convention Comes to Chicago

  During the Convention, Hubert Humphrey was nominated.

  August 22, 1848
  Mellville E. Stone is Born

  Stone was the founder of the Chicago Daily News.

  August 23, 1919
  Gasoline Alley Comic Appears

  The comic first premiered in the Chicago Tribune.

  August 24, 1918
  Cubs Win the Earliest Pennant Ever

  The Cubs season only lasted until September 2.

  August 24, 1989
  Holiday Inn is sold to Bass

  The Holiday Inn hotel chain was bought by a British Brewery.

  August 26, 1951
  An American in Paris Premieres 

  The play, "An American in Paris" is one of many put on by the theater group, Broadway in Chicago.

• August 13 - August 19

  August 13, 1906
  Jack Taylor Ends No-Error Streak

  Cubs player Jack Taylor went 202 games without a single error until losing to the LA Dodgers in the third inning.
  
  August 13, 1935
  Transcontinental Roller Derby

  The Derby was held at the Chicago Coliseum.
  
  August 13, 1972
  Kevin Plank is Born

  Kevin Plank founded Under Armour.
  
  August 15, 1812
  The Battle of Fort Dearborn 

  The battle was between United States troops and the Potawatomi Native Americans.
  
  August 15, 1964
  Ernie Banks Day

  Chicago celebrated the first annual Ernie Banks Day. The Cubs legend was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom 2013.
  
  August 16, 1927
  First Home-run Hit out of Comiskey PArk

  The home-run was hit by Babe Ruth.
  
  August 16, 1967
  Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Perform

  The band's first performance was at the Auditorium Theater, a part of Broadway in Chicago.
  
  August 16, 1967
  Bret Barberie and Terry Shumpert are Born

  Barberie and Shumpert are both infielders for the Cubs.
  
  August 18, 1982
  Longest Game at Wrigley Field

  The game began August 17 and pitted the LA Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs. After 22 innings, the Dodgers defeated the Cubs, 2-1.
  
  August 19, 1969
  Ken Holzman No-Hits the Braves

  Holzman helped the Cubs defeat the Atlanta Braves, 3-0.

• August 6 - August 12

  August 6, 2009
  John Hughes Died

  Hughes directed movies such as "The Breakfast Club," "Pretty in Pink," and "Sixteen Candles." His most famous movie, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" features several Chicago landmarks such as the Art Institute of Chicago.

  August 7, 1984
  Cubs beat Mets in doubleheader

  The Cubs bested the Mets in both games of a doubleheader, the first game 8-6 and the second 8-4.

  August 8, 1958
  Miss Chicago presents Best Actor of the Year Award in Berlin

  Miss Chicago, Andre Deckmann, presented the award to Sidney Poitier for his role in The Defiant Ones.

  August 8, 1988
  The Lights Go On at Wrigley Field

  The Chicago Cubs played their first official night game at Wrigley Field, beating the Mets 6-4.

  August 10, 1833
  Chicago is Incorporated as a Village

  At the time, Chicago had a population of about 350.
  
  August 11 1934
  Alcatraz is Opened

  One of the most famous inmates of the island-style jail was Chicago mobster Al Capone.

  August 11, 1956
  Jackson Pollock dies

  Many of Pollock's pieces are on display at the Art Institute of Chicago.

• July 30 - August 5

  July 30, 1880
  Robert Rutherford McCormick was born

  McCormick, who grew up to become the editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, was born in Chicago to parents Robert and Katherine.

  July 30, 2008
  Broadway in Chicago was formed

  Broadway in Chicago, the theatrical production company operates in five venues in downtown Chicago including the PrivateBank Theater, the Oriental Theater, the Cadillac Palace Theater, the Auditorium Theater and the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.
  
  August 1, 1990 

  Stanton Cook steps down as CEO of the Chicago Cubs

  Cook, who was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, passed away in his home in Kenilworth in 2015 at the age of 90.

  August 3, 1877 
  William B. Ogden died

  Ogden was the first mayor of the City of Chicago.

  August 3, 1987 
  Bears defeat Cowboys in NFL Expo

  In a 17-6 decision, the Chicago Bears beat the Dallas Cowboys at the Expo in London.

  August 4, 1830 
  Plans for the city of Chicago were laid out

  City commissioners hired James Thompson to map out the town of Chicago which, at the time, had less than 100 inhabitants.

• July 23 - July 29

  July 23, 1944
  Bill Nicholson hits four HRs

  Chicago Cubs player Bill Nicholson hit four home runs in a doubleheader

  July 23, 1976 
  42nd NFL Chicago All Star Game

  During this game, Pittsburgh bested the All Stars in a 24-0 shutout decision

  July 24, 1915
  Eastland Shipwreck

  In 1915, a Chicago-based tour ship, The Eastland, was scheduled to take Western Electric employees to a picnic in Indiana when the ship capsized, leading to the deaths of over 800 people.

  July 25, 1954
  Walter Peyton was Born

  Walter Peyton, famed running back for the Chicago Bears was born in Columbia, MS.

  July 26, 1893
  Commercial Production of the Addressograph started

  The Addressograph consisted of a hexagonal wood block with rubber type glued on, allowing the user to stamp addresses on envelopes more efficiently

  July 27, 1919
  Chicago Race Riot Began

  During what was known as the worst race riot in the history of Illinois, 38 people were killed

   

   

   

• July 16 - July 22

  July 17, 1955
  Disneyland Opens

  Walt Disney's fantasy land came to life in 1955. The $17 million park was built on 160 acres of land in Anaheim California and hosts over 14 million visitors a year.

  Catch Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse along the parade route for The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, which kicks off the holiday season each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Join us on Saturday, Novemeber 18!

  July 18, 2008
  First Blackhawks Fan Convention

  The first Blackhawks Fan Convention was held at the Hilton Chicago Hotel. The convention, which drew 10,000 fans, soon became an annual event.

  July 20, 1968
  First International Special Olympics

  Held at Soldier Field, the first International Special Olympics featured 1500 athletes from the United States and Canada.

  July 22, 1936
  John Dillinger was killed

  Infamous bank robber and life-long fan of the Chicago Cubs, John Dillinger, was shot and killed after a federal stakeout in front of the Biograph Theater .

• July 9 - July 15

  July 12, 1931
  Cubs and Cardinals Combine for MLB Record
  
  The Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals combined for a total of 23 doubles in a single game, setting a new MLB record.

  July 12, 1979
  Disco Demolition
  
  Thousands of Chicagoans gathered at Comisky Park to watch radio host Steve Dahl destroy disco records after a double header between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers.

  July 14, 1789
  Storming of the Bastille
  
  In Paris, thousands of armed civilians gathered in front of the Bastille and demanded its surrender from the royal monarchy. This marked the flashpoint of the French Revolution and is celebrated every year on the anniversary, known as Bastille Day.
  Celebrate Bastille Day at French restaurants around Chicago, like Les Nomades

  July 14, 1927
  John Chancellor is Born
  
  John Chancellor, NBC Nightly News anchor was born.

• July 2 - July 8

  July 3, 1936
  Chicago Symphony Orchestra Takes Residence at Ravinia
  
  Known for its outdoor lawn area and seated Pavillion, Ravinia now hosts summer concerts from various artists, including a permanent staple, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

  July 3, 1965
  Vinson Smith is Born
  
  Vinson Smith is a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.

  July 4, 1962
  The Chicago History Museum Hosts First Independence Day Celebration
  
  The Chicago History Museum's 55th annual Independence Day Celebration was held in 2017

  July 4, 1980
  First Taste of Chicago
  
  The Taste of Chicago has grown to become a must-attend event for residents and tourists. Vendors from all over the city participate and bring delicious food to Grant Park.

  July 6, 1933
  First All-Star Baseball Game
  
  In 1933, the first All-Star baseball game was held in Chicago, where the American league bested the National League in a 4-2 decision.

• June 25 - July 1

  June 27, 1970
  First Chicago PRIDE Parade
  
  The first Chicago PRIDE Parade was organized on the last Saturday of June in 1970 as a culmination of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. The parade marched from Washington Square Park to the Water Tower.

  June 29, 1969
  Billy Williams Breaks "Consecutive Games Played" Record
  
  Outfielder for the Chicago Cubs, Billy Williams played his 896th game on June 29, 1969. This broke the National League's "Consecutive Games Played" record previously held by Stan Musial.

  July 1, 1870
  Charles E. Fox is Born
  
  Charles E. Fox is the architect behind the famous Drake Hotel.

  July 1, 1934
  Brookfield Zoo Opens
  
  The Brookfield Zoo, operated by the Chicago Zoological Society, is known for its open-air enclosures.

  July 1, 1950
  Eliel Saarinen Dies
  
  Eliel Saarinen is the architect responsible for the Chicago Tribune Building. He died at the age of 76.

• June 18 - June 24

  June 24, 1922
  The NFL and the Chicago Bears are born
  
  The National Football League was originally known as the APFA (American Professional Football Association) until 1922. With the name change, one of the teams, the Chicago Staleys, became the Chicago Bears that we know and love today.

  June 24, 1994
  Chicago Cubs honor Harry Caray
  
  After 50 years of broadcasting, The Chicago Cubs held a special day honoring the "Holy Cow" originator, Harry Caray.
  
  Learn more about Harry Caray's Steakhouse.
  

  June 24, 2013
  Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup
  
  In a 3-2 decision, the Chicago Blackhawks edged out the Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in four years. The Hawks would go on to win the Cup again in 2015.