1. On April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic sank in the early hours of the morning, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. Several Illinois residents were among the passengers on board the ill-fated ship.

2. In 1853, the city of Chicago established its first public library, which was located on the corner of LaSalle and Monroe streets. The library was the first of its kind in the state of Illinois and was open to all residents.

3. On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. Robinson went on to have a storied career in the sport, and his legacy continues to inspire athletes and social justice advocates to this day.

4. In 1861, the Civil War broke out, affecting Illinois and the rest of the country for years to come. Many soldiers from Illinois fought in some of the war's most significant battles, including the Battle of Shiloh and the Battle of Gettysburg.

5. On April 15, 1992, the Chicago Bulls won their 60th game of the NBA season, surpassing the previous franchise record of 59 wins. The 1991-1992 season was the first of the team's back-to-back championship victories, and it was a testament to the talent of Michael Jordan and the rest of the Bulls' roster.