On May 19, 2018, Northwestern University graduate Meghan Markle married Prince Harry of Britain at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, England. This event garnered significant attention worldwide and was covered by the Chicago Tribune.
Weather Records for May 19
Weather data from the National Weather Service for Chicago on May 19 shows a high temperature of 94 degrees in 1977 and a low temperature of 36 degrees in 1993. The record precipitation for this date was 1.53 inches in 1949. There was no recorded snowfall.
Major Events on May 19 in Chicago History
In 1934, a massive fire broke out in Chicago, destroying nearly 90% of the Union Stock Yards. The fire, the second largest in the city’s history, also destroyed “Big Jim” O’Leary’s grand gambling establishment at 4183 S. Halsted St. Fifty firefighters suffered injuries during the blaze, which also resulted in the deaths of hundreds of cattle.
During the mid-20th century, auto racing events were a highlight in Chicago. In 1935, Soldier Field hosted its first car race by the Midwest Auto Racing Association. Later, in 1956, it held its first NASCAR race as part of the Grand National series.
In 1971, Chicago Alderman Fred Hubbard vanished along with $100,000 from the Chicago Plan, a federally funded jobs program. The FBI captured him in August 1972 during a poker game in a Los Angeles suburb. Hubbard was extradited to Chicago, where he pled guilty to 16 embezzlement charges and received a two-year prison sentence in January 1973. Following his prison term, Hubbard faced further legal issues, including a school scandal discovered in 1986 and losing his taxi driver livelihood in 1991 when his license was suspended.
Development Plans for Soldier Field
In 1982, the Chicago Park District included a $20 million dome for Soldier Field in its project plans. Park Board President Raymond Simon discussed the ongoing improvements and expressed optimism about the financial potential of utilizing Soldier Field extensively. However, the Tribune Editorial Board voiced concerns over the financial burden on taxpayers, advocating against public funding for such projects.
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