1. In 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War. This event had significant consequences for Illinois, as the state had sent over 250,000 soldiers to fight in the war, more than any other northern state except for New York.

2. In 1910, William Jennings Bryan made an address in Springfield, IL in support of the Women's Suffrage Movement. Bryan was a prominent Democratic politician and progressive leader who ran for president three times and served as Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson. His speech helped galvanize support for women's right to vote in Illinois, which was granted in 1913.

3. In 1936, the city of Paris, IL was hit by a major tornado, causing significant damage and loss of life. The tornado, which was part of a larger outbreak across the Midwest, killed 18 people and injured over 200. The disaster prompted changes in building codes and emergency preparedness that helped mitigate the impact of future tornadoes in the region.

4. In 1965, the Illinois State Senate passed a bill that would create the state's first community college system. The legislation aimed to provide affordable and accessible higher education to Illinois residents, particularly those living in rural areas or with limited financial resources. Today, the Illinois Community College System comprises 48 institutions serving over 600,000 students.

5. In 2009, the Chicago Cubs played their first regular-season game at the newly constructed Wrigley Field. The ballpark, which had undergone a major renovation and expansion, had been the Cubs' home field since 1916 and was an iconic landmark of Chicago's North Side. The game, a 4-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies, was attended by over 41,000 fans and marked a new era for the historic stadium.