Today In History
5 Fun Facts About April 27 In Illinois History
1. In 1832, the Black Hawk War began. It was a conflict between the United States and several Native American tribes, including the Sauk and Fox. The war lasted one year and resulted in the defeat of the Native Americans. 2. In 1843, the Illinois and Michigan Canal opened. It...
5 Fun Facts About April 26 In Illinois History
1. In 1915, the deadliest tornado in Illinois history struck the city of Murphysboro. This devastating tornado took the lives of 234 people and injured over 1,000 others. 2. On April 26, 1924, a group of African American students and faculty members at the University of Illinois protested against the...
5 Fun Facts About April 25 In Illinois History
1. In 1833, Chicago was incorporated as a town. It grew rapidly in the following years due to its position as a transportation hub, and it eventually became one of the largest cities in the United States. 2. In 1861, the Civil War began. Illinois played a significant role in...
5 Fun Facts About April 24 In Illinois History
1. On April 24, 1942, the United States War Production Board issued an order prohibiting the use of steel for certain non-military purposes. This affected many businesses in Illinois, including the automobile and construction industries. 2. In 1967, the city of Peoria celebrated the grand opening of the Peoria Civic...
5 Fun Facts About April 23 In Illinois History
1. On April 23, 1918, Illinois Governor Frank O. Lowden announced the creation of the Illinois State Council of Defense, which was tasked with coordinating the state's efforts during World War I. The council was responsible for everything from promoting patriotic sentiment to conserving food and fuel. 2. April 23,...
5 Fun Facts About April 21 In Illinois History
1. On April 21, 1865, the funeral train carrying the body of President Abraham Lincoln made its way through Illinois on its journey from Washington D.C. to Springfield. Thousands of mourners came to pay their respects as the train passed through cities such as Chicago, Joliet, and Bloomington. 2. In...
5 Fun Facts About April 20 In Illinois History
1. On April 20, 1831, Chicago was incorporated as a city, with a population of just over 4,000 residents. Today, Chicago boasts a population of over 2.7 million people and is one of the largest cities in the United States. 2. On April 20, 1939, future Illinois governor Daniel Walker...
5 Fun Facts About April 19 In Illinois History
1. In 1818, the Illinois Territory was divided into counties including Bond, Crawford, and Edwards County, among others. The Illinois Territory was created by an Act of Congress in 1809 and became the State of Illinois on December 3, 1818. 2. Abraham Lincoln's funeral train passed through Illinois on April...
5 Fun Facts About April 18 In Illinois History
1. On April 18, 1906, the San Francisco earthquake occurred, which was felt as far east as Illinois. The earthquake was one of the most destructive in United States history, resulting in widespread fires and almost 3,000 deaths. 2. On April 18, 1938, the Illinois and Michigan Canal was officially...
5 Fun Facts About April 17 In Illinois History
1. On April 17, 1902, the first YMCA building in Chicago was dedicated. The organization would go on to become a staple of American gym culture, with over 2,700 YMCAs across the United States today. 2. In 1931, the Illinois state government purchased the Popeye comic strip rights from creator...
5 Fun Facts About April 16 In Illinois History
1. Abraham Lincoln's Funeral Train - On April 16, 1865, a funeral train carrying the body of President Abraham Lincoln arrived in Springfield, Illinois after a 13-day journey from Washington, D.C. 2. First Night Game at Wrigley Field - On April 16, 1988, the Chicago Cubs played their first night...
5 Fun Facts About April 15 In Illinois History
1. On April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic sank in the early hours of the morning, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. Several Illinois residents were among the passengers on board the ill-fated ship. 2. In 1853, the city of Chicago established its first public library, which was...