1. On January 16, 1920, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect, banning the production, transport, and sale of alcohol nationwide. This began the era of Prohibition, which lasted until 1933.

2. In 1970, the Illinois State Lottery held its first drawing on January 16. The lottery was created to generate revenue for the state and has since raised billions of dollars for education.

3. On January 16, 1909, the Illinois legislature passed the first Mother's Pension Law in the United States, which provided financial support to widows and single mothers who were unable to support their children.

4. The Chicago Bears won the 1966 NFL Championship on January 16, defeating the New York Giants 14-10 in the iconic game known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played."

5. In 2013, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans to close 54 public schools in the city, one of the largest school closures in U.S. history. The decision sparked widespread protests and criticism from parents, educators, and community activists.