Monumental Moments in Chicago’s History
On October 6, 1969, a bronze monument honoring the police officers killed during the 1886 Haymarket Affair was bombed. This statue, commemorating a crucial moment in labor history, has faced numerous challenges since its erection in 1887. These include relocating multiple times, suffering damage from a streetcar incident in 1927, and vandalism.
The Haymarket Affair itself was a pivotal event where a peaceful labor meeting turned violent after an unknown individual threw a bomb, resulting in a riot with casualties among police officers and civilians. In 1969, the Weather Underground took credit for the attack on the monument, which Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley condemned as an attack on the city.
Today, the reconstructed police monument stands at Chicago police headquarters, while the Haymarket Memorial marks the historic site as a testament to the city’s labor movement.
Weather Extremes Recorded in Chicago
- High: 94°F in 1963
- Low: 28°F in 1952
- Precipitation: 1.57 inches in 1955
- Snowfall: Trace in 1935
Historical Highlights
In 1818, Shadrach Bond became Illinois’ first governor, confronted with financial difficulties in the state treasury. He advocated for more humane criminal penalties, opposing harsh punishments like whipping and confinement in stock.
The iconic “Curse of the Goat” began in 1945 when William Sianis, owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, was denied entrance to Wrigley Field along with his goat, Murphy.
Another significant event was the 1949 conviction of Iva Ikuko Toguri D’Aquino, known as “Tokyo Rose,” who faced treason charges for broadcasting propaganda during World War II. Despite being part of a broader network, her conviction stood out, and she received a presidential pardon in 1977.
Efforts to Honor Martin Luther King Jr.
After Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968, Illinois, led by Rep. Harold Washington, pioneered efforts to honor him with a holiday. A measure for a commemorative holiday was enacted, although initially lacking the closure of businesses and schools. Gov. Dan Walker later signed a bill to make it a legal holiday.
Chicago’s Landmark and Legacy
The Water Tower was designated a city landmark in 1971. In 1993, NBA legend Michael Jordan announced his retirement from basketball, only to return in 1995, signaling his comeback with the words, “I’m back.”
In 1997, Chicago’s City Council formally exonerated Catherine O’Leary and her cow, long blamed for starting the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Lastly, in the realm of paleontology, “Sue” the T. rex, once the most expensive specimen, made way for “Stan,” sold for $31.8 million in 2020.
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