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5 Fun Facts About August 6 In Illinois History
1. On August 6, 1966, the first African American to be elected to a statewide office in Illinois, William Dawson, died at age 84. Dawson was a prominent political figure in Chicago and served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 27 years. 2. On August 6, 1918, the deadliest...
5 Fun Facts About August 5 In Illinois History
1. On August 5, 1861, the 11th Illinois Infantry Regiment was mustered into service for the Union during the Civil War. The regiment played a significant role in battles including Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and Atlanta. 2. In 1884, the cornerstone for the Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield was laid on...
5 Fun Facts About August 4 In Illinois History
1. In 1862, the Illinois Central Railroad completed its extension from Chicago to Cairo, Illinois. This allowed for easier transportation of goods and people between the North and the South during the Civil War. 2. On August 4, 1887, William Hart, a farmer from Carlyle, Illinois, patented the first practical...
5 Fun Facts About August 3 In Illinois History
1. In 1812, the first major battle of the War of 1812 took place near Fort Dearborn in what is now Chicago. The Potawatomi Indians attacked and killed nearly all of the soldiers and civilians at the fort, including women and children. 2. In 1857, the Illinois State Agricultural Society...
5 Fun Facts About August 2 In Illinois History
1. In 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the United States. August 2 marks the anniversary of Illinois' admission to the Union. 2. On August 2, 1909, the first municipal airport in the United States was opened in Chicago. The airport was situated on a 23-acre site in Grant...
5 Fun Facts About August 1 In Illinois History
1. Illinois became a state on August 1, 1818. After three years as a territory, Illinois was admitted to the United States as the 21st state. The state’s capital at the time was Kaskaskia, but it would later move to Vandalia and then Springfield. 2. Abraham Lincoln gave his famous...
5 Fun Facts About July 31 In Illinois History
1. On July 31, 1837, Chicago was officially incorporated as a city. Since then, it has grown to become the third-largest city in the United States, with a population of over 2.7 million people. 2. In 1893, the World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, officially closed...
5 Fun Facts About July 30 In Illinois History
1. In 1836, the city of Chicago was incorporated as a town. At the time, the town only had a population of around 4,000 people. Today, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States with a population of over 2.7 million people. 2. On July 30, 1966, the...
5 Fun Facts About July 29 In Illinois History
1. In 1847, the town of Evanston was incorporated. This suburb of Chicago is home to Northwestern University and has a rich history of progressive politics and social activism. 2. On July 29, 1919, the Chicago Race Riot broke out, resulting in 38 deaths and over 500 injuries. The riot...
5 Fun Facts About July 28 In Illinois History
1. On July 28, 1866, Chicago's first public zoo, the Lincoln Park Zoo, opened its doors to the public. The zoo remains one of the oldest and most popular attractions in the city, home to over 200 species of animals. 2. In 1896, on July 28, the town of Streator,...
5 Fun Facts About July 27 In Illinois History
1. In 1868, Chicago witnessed the largest mass hanging in United States history when eight individuals were executed simultaneously for their roles in the Haymarket Square bombing. 2. On July 27, 1881, the "Champion Skyscraper Climber of the World" George M. Redlingshafer scaled the 188-foot Tower Building in Chicago in...
5 Fun Facts About July 26 In Illinois History
1. In 1812, the Battle of Fort Dearborn took place in what is now Chicago. Soldiers and civilians were killed in the battle, which was part of the War of 1812. 2. In 1893, the World's Columbian Exposition opened in Chicago. The fair, which celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher...