1. The first American astronaut to walk in space, Edward White, was born on June 24, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas. White spent his early years in Illinois and graduated from Western High School in Washington, Illinois, in 1948.

2. On June 24, 1779, George Rogers Clark captured the British Fort Sackville in Vincennes, Indiana, during the Revolutionary War. Clark is known for his role in securing the Illinois Territory for the United States.

3. The first public zoo in the United States opened in Philadelphia on June 24, 1874. Named the Philadelphia Zoological Society, the zoo featured 813 animals from all over the world, including lions, tigers, giraffes, and kangaroos.

4. On June 24, 1960, the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) announced a new contract agreement with General Motors that included a $1 per hour wage increase for workers. The UAW was founded in Detroit, but the union has also had a strong presence in Illinois, particularly in the automotive industry.

5. The Illinois Central Railroad was chartered on June 24, 1851. The railway played a significant role in the development of Chicago and the Midwest, connecting a vast network of markets and allowing for the efficient transportation of goods and people. Today, the Illinois Central Railroad is owned by Canadian National Railway.