1. In 1831, the Illinois and Michigan Canal was authorized by the Illinois General Assembly. The canal, which was completed in 1848, connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and helped to facilitate trade throughout the region.

2. On July 13, 1861, the Battle of Stone's River began in Tennessee. More than 5,000 soldiers from Illinois fought in the battle, which was a significant Union victory and helped to boost morale in the Northern states.

3. In 1893, the World's Columbian Exposition opened in Chicago. The exposition, which celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas, featured exhibits from around the world and attracted millions of visitors.

4. On July 13, 1941, the Illinois National Guard was federalized in anticipation of the United States' entry into World War II. Thousands of Illinois soldiers were deployed to locations around the world over the course of the war.

5. In 1995, Chicago experienced a record-setting heat wave that lasted for several days. Temperatures reached as high as 106 degrees Fahrenheit, causing widespread power outages and dozens of deaths. The heat wave led to a renewed focus on the dangers of extreme weather events and the need for preparedness measures.