1. In 1847, the town of Evanston was incorporated. This suburb of Chicago is home to Northwestern University and has a rich history of progressive politics and social activism.

2. On July 29, 1919, the Chicago Race Riot broke out, resulting in 38 deaths and over 500 injuries. The riot was sparked by tensions between white and Black residents of the city and lasted for several days before National Guard troops were called in to restore order.

3. In 1952, the first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, was launched from Groton, Connecticut. The submarine was built in part at the Naval Reactors Facility in suburban Chicago, which was instrumental in developing the nuclear technology used by the US Navy.

4. On July 29, 1998, the Chicago Cubs played their first game at their new home, Wrigley Field. The historic ballpark has been home to the Cubs since 1916 and is known for its ivy-covered brick walls and iconic scoreboard.

5. In 2016, Illinois senator Tammy Duckworth gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, becoming the first Thai-American woman to address a major political convention. Duckworth, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and veteran of the Iraq War, has been a vocal advocate for veterans' rights and disability rights during her time in Congress.