1. In 1834, the first stagecoach in Illinois arrived in Springfield from Alton, marking a significant milestone in the state's transportation history.

2. The Great Chicago Fire began on October 9, 1871, and burned for three days, destroying much of the city and leaving thousands homeless.

3. In 1919, the Chicago White Sox were accused of intentionally losing the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds in what became known as the "Black Sox Scandal."

4. African American poet and civil rights activist Gwendolyn Brooks was born in Topeka, Kansas, on October 9, 1917, but spent most of her life living in Chicago.

5. On this day in 2006, the Chicago Bears set a franchise record for the most points scored in a game with a 40-7 victory over the Buffalo Bills.