1. In 1951, the first Chicago International Film Festival opened on October 25. It has since become the longest-running competitive film festival in North America, showcasing international films and drawing crowds from around the world.

2. On October 25, 1981, the Chicago Bears faced off against the Houston Oilers in a game that would go down in NFL history. Bears running back Walter Payton rushed for a then-record-breaking 275 yards, helping the team clinch a 10-0 victory.

3. October 25, 1837, marked the day that the Illinois and Michigan Canal officially opened for business. This 96-mile waterway, which linked Chicago to the Illinois River, played a crucial role in the state's economic development and helped solidify Chicago's position as a major transportation hub.

4. On October 25, 1971, rock legend John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono made a surprise appearance at a benefit concert for the Illinois Prison Reform Fund in Chicago. The couple performed several songs and spoke about their anti-war activism and support for prison reform.

5. In 1929, the first successful flight from Chicago to New York City took place on October 25. Piloted by a team of aviators, the flight lasted 17 hours and 7 minutes, marking a major milestone in the development of commercial aviation.