July 31, 2018: Aeromexico Flight Crash
An Aeromexico Embraer 190 aircraft, carrying 97 passengers and four crew members, crashed shortly after taking off from Durango, Mexico. Among the passengers were several individuals from Chicago. Fortunately, all on board survived. Notable passengers included Rev. Esequiel Sanchez, rector of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. He was in Mexico celebrating his birthday with family.
Historical Weather Records
- High temperature: 99 degrees (2006)
- Low temperature: 51 degrees (1984)
- Precipitation: 1.29 inches (1888)
- Snowfall: None
July 31, 1928: Olympic Achievement
Women’s track debuted in the Olympics during the 1928 Amsterdam Games. Betty Robinson, a 16-year-old from Riverdale, Illinois, clinched the gold medal in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.2 seconds. Two finalists faced disqualification due to false starts. Robinson overcame a severe plane crash injury to later win gold in the 4-x-100 relay at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
July 31, 1985: Arlington Park Fire
A devastating five-alarm fire started in the Post and Paddock Club of Arlington Park, eventually consuming the main grandstand. Remarkably, there were no injuries. Less than a month later, the racetrack hosted the “Miracle Million” event. The Arlington team was honored with an Eclipse Award by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, marking the first time a racetrack received this recognition.
July 31, 1993: Walter Payton’s Hall of Fame Induction
Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Known for his humility and camaraderie, Payton retired in 1987 as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards, surpassing Jim Brown’s record. His legacy endured until Emmitt Smith broke his record in 2002. After Payton’s death at 45, his public memorial at Soldier Field drew 20,000 attendees. The NFL Man of the Year Award was renamed in his honor in 2000.
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