1. Illinois became a state on December 3, 1818, but on July 14, 1877, a devastating fire broke out in the town of Chester, destroying much of the town's commercial district.

2. On July 14, 1893, the World's Columbian Exposition opened in Chicago. This massive event, which celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World, featured exhibits from around the world and attracted millions of visitors.

3. On July 14, 1908, a race riot broke out in Springfield, Illinois, after a white woman accused a black man of rape. The riot resulted in the deaths of several people, property damage, and the displacement of many African American families.

4. In 1954, the Illinois Tollway system was authorized by the General Assembly on July 14. The system, which now includes over 292 miles of tollways, was built to provide funding for the state's transportation infrastructure.

5. On July 14, 1967, a devastating tornado struck the northern Illinois town of Belvidere, killing 24 people and injuring over 500. The tornado destroyed several buildings, including a school, and caused millions of dollars in damage.