1969: First Black Expo
The inaugural Black Expo debuted at the International Amphitheatre, organized by Operation Breadbasket of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Notable participants included poet Gwendolyn Brooks, musicians Marvin Gaye, Mahalia Jackson, the Staple Singers, B.B. King, and Aretha Franklin. The event continued annually until 1976, later resurfacing in the 1990s.
Weather Records
High Temperature: 91 degrees in 1954
Low Temperature: 29 degrees in 1981
Precipitation: 3.95 inches in 1954
Snowfall: None
1915: Cubs at West Side Grounds
In their final game at West Side Grounds, the Chicago Cubs triumphed over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs achieved consecutive championships in 1907 and 1908 at this site, located between Polk, Wood, and Taylor streets, now part of the University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine.
1930: Night Football at Soldier Field
Soldier Field witnessed its first night football game where Oregon defeated Drake, 14-7.
1983: Chicago Teacher Strike
The second-longest teacher strike in Chicago Public Schools history lasted for 15 days, affecting over 420,000 students. Chicago Teachers Union chief Robert Healey accused Superintendent Ruth Love of prolonging the strike. A tentative agreement on October 23 included a 5% raise for teachers, though a quarter would have 12-month pay distribution. The settlement was valued at $81 million.
1987: Longest CPS Strike
The strike extended nearly a month, canceling 19 days of school. Teachers received a 4% pay increase for the first year, with a similar increase the next year if funding permitted. Class sizes were targeted for reduction in 36 overcrowded and 100 underachieving schools. The $43.8 million package was funded by eliminating 1,800 positions.
1992: Obama Wedding
Barack and Michelle Obama wed at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Their reception was held at the South Shore Cultural Center.
2010: Nancy Faust’s Final Game
After 41 seasons, Nancy Faust played her final home game for the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Famous for starting the tradition of “Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye,” Faust joined Harry Caray for “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and crafted special tunes for players like Dick Allen.
2018: Addison Russell’s Suspension
Following the Cubs’ wild-card loss, Addison Russell faced a 40-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic-abuse policy. He was eligible to rejoin on May 3, but the club reassigned him to Triple-A Iowa.
2019: Museum of Science and Industry Donation
The Museum of Science and Industry announced plans for renaming after Ken Griffin, a Chicago billionaire, pledged a $125 million donation—the largest in the museum’s history.
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