1. The first known public demonstration of a gasoline automobile in Illinois occurred on February 15, 1892, in Chicago. A man named Oscar Mueller drove his new invention, a gasoline-powered car, down a busy street to showcase its speed and efficiency.

2. On February 15, 1929, a group of notorious gangsters, led by Al Capone, committed the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago. Seven rival gang members were lined up against a garage wall and brutally gunned down.

3. February 15, 1969, was a momentous day for aviation in Illinois. Boeing's new 747 jumbo jet made its first flight from its factory in Seattle to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. This event marked the beginning of a new era in air travel with larger, more efficient planes.

4. In 1983, the Illinois Lottery made history on February 15 by awarding a record $40 million jackpot to a single winner. The winner, a woman from Chicago, chose to be anonymous but her huge windfall made headlines across the state.

5. On February 15, 2011, the small town of Harrisburg, Illinois, was hit by a deadly tornado that killed eight people and caused widespread damage. Despite the tragedy, the town has since rebuilt and become a symbol of resilience and strength in the face of adversity.