Here are five interesting facts about March 15 in Illinois history:

1. In 1865, a fire broke out at the Willard Hotel in Springfield, Illinois. The hotel was where Abraham Lincoln stayed during his time as a lawyer in the city. Luckily, the fire was contained before it could cause any major damage to the historic building.

2. In 1913, a deadly tornado swept through the city of Havana, Illinois, killing 12 people and injuring over 200 others. The tornado destroyed most of the town's business district and left many homes in ruins.

3. In 1968, anti-war protesters staged a massive march in Chicago as part of the larger anti-Vietnam War movement. The march was met with violent confrontations between protesters and police, which became known as the "Battle of Michigan Avenue."

4. In 2006, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center was dedicated in Skokie, Illinois. The museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and educating future generations about the dangers of hate and prejudice.

5. In 2012, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill abolishing the death penalty in the state. Illinois became the 16th state to abolish the death penalty, and the first state to do so through legislative action rather than through the courts.