1. On October 20, 1926, the famous Oriental Theatre in Chicago first opened its doors to the public. The theater, which was designed to resemble a palace from the Far East, quickly became a popular entertainment destination in the city.

2. The first recorded snowfall in Illinois history occurred on October 20, 1824. The snow was reported to have fallen in Peoria, Illinois, surprising many residents who were not accustomed to such weather.

3. On October 20, 1967, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner was indicted on bribery charges related to his time in office. Kerner was ultimately found guilty and served time in prison for his crimes.

4. The Illinois Tollway System was first established on October 20, 1953, with the opening of the Tri-State Tollway. The tollway system, which now includes over 270 miles of roadway, has become a crucial part of the state's transportation infrastructure.

5. On October 20, 1973, the Chicago Fire Department responded to a fire at the McCormick Place convention center. Tragically, the fire claimed the lives of 11 people and caused millions of dollars in damages. The incident led to major changes in building safety codes and procedures throughout the country.