1. Illinois celebrates Juneteenth as a state holiday: On June 12, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation designating Juneteenth as an official state holiday. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and slavery.

2. The Cubs played their first game at Wrigley Field: On June 12, 1914, the Chicago Cubs played their first game at the iconic Wrigley Field. Originally called Weeghman Park, the stadium was built for the Chicago Whales, a team in the now-defunct Federal League.

3. The Eastland Disaster occurred: On June 12, 1915, the steamship SS Eastland tipped over while docked in the Chicago River, killing 844 of the 2,572 passengers and crew on board. It remains one of the deadliest maritime disasters in American history.

4. The first Pekin Marigold Festival was held: On June 12, 1973, the first Pekin Marigold Festival was held in Pekin, Illinois. The festival celebrates the city's history of marigold cultivation, which began in the 1920s.

5. The Illinois State Capitol was dedicated: On June 12, 1888, the Illinois State Capitol was officially dedicated in Springfield, Illinois. The building, which houses the offices of the governor and other state officials, is listed as a National Historic Landmark.