1. The Great Chicago Fire began on September 16, 1871. A small barn in the city's West Side caught fire and quickly spread, eventually destroying over 2,000 acres and leaving 100,000 people homeless.

2. On September 16, 1920, three Black men were lynched in Duluth, Minnesota, after being falsely accused of assaulting a white woman. The incident sparked national outrage and served as a reminder of the deep-seated racism that persisted in many parts of the country at the time.

3. On September 16, 1810, the first governor of Illinois, Ninian Edwards, took office. Edwards served as governor for 11 years and oversaw many important developments in the state, including the construction of the first state capital and significant improvements to the state's infrastructure.

4. Illinois became the first state in the country to ratify the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, on September 16, 1913. This historic moment paved the way for similar legislation in other states and helped to ensure that women's voices would be heard in elections across the country.

5. On September 16, 1890, the Pullman Palace Car Company workers went on strike, sparking a nationwide labor movement. The strike, which was prompted by wage cuts and layoffs, led to widespread unrest and violence, and ultimately resulted in federal intervention to mediate the conflict.