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5 Fun Facts About February 29 In Illinois History
1. The Leap Year Blizzard of 1972: On February 29, 1972, Illinois was hit with a massive blizzard that dropped up to 20 inches of snow in some areas. The storm caused widespread power outages and travel disruptions, and is still remembered as one of the worst blizzards in Illinois...
5 Fun Facts About February 28 In Illinois History
1. In 1942, the University of Illinois announced the creation of the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations, the first such institute in the United States. Today, the institute still exists and is jointly operated by the University of Illinois and the University of Illinois at Chicago. 2. In 1957,...
5 Fun Facts About February 27 In Illinois History
1. Illinois became a state on December 3, 1818, but it wasn't until nearly four decades later, on February 27, 1854, that the first state capitol building was dedicated in Springfield. The impressive building served as the home of Illinois' government for 62 years, until the current capitol building was...
5 Fun Facts About February 26 In Illinois History
1. In 1926, Carter G. Woodson started "Negro History Week" in Chicago, Illinois, which would later become Black History Month. This week was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two important figures in African American history. 2. On February 26, 1907, the state of...
5 Fun Facts About February 25 In Illinois History
1. On February 25, 1964, boxing legend Muhammad Ali (known then as Cassius Clay) defeated Sonny Liston in a historical upset at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky, but spent a significant amount of his training career in Chicago, Illinois. 2. On February 25, 1818,...
5 Fun Facts About February 24 In Illinois History
1. On February 24, 1868, the Illinois State Senate voted to approve the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave African American men the right to vote. This amendment was later ratified by the required number of states and became law in 1870. 2. Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo,...
5 Fun Facts About February 23 In Illinois History
1. In 1832, the Black Hawk War in Illinois began. This conflict saw the Sauk Native American tribe led by Chief Black Hawk fighting against the United States Army and Illinois militia. The war resulted in the defeat of the Sauk tribe and their removal from Illinois. 2. On February...
5 Fun Facts About February 22 In Illinois History
1. The first African-American to win an Olympic gold medal was born on February 22nd, 1904 in Alton, Illinois. His name was John Woodruff and he won the 800 meter race at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. 2. On February 22nd, 1974, the United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit...
5 Fun Facts About February 21 In Illinois History
Here are five interesting facts about February 21 in Illinois history: 1. On February 21, 1867, the city of Springfield was hit by a massive tornado, causing significant damage and claiming several lives. The event is still considered one of the deadliest tornadoes in Illinois history. 2. In 1895, the...
5 Fun Facts About February 20 In Illinois History
1. On February 20, 1792, the Illinois Territory was created by an act of Congress. It included parts of present-day Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, and was established to govern the area prior to statehood. 2. In 1837, on February 20th, the City of Chicago was incorporated. It had previously been...
5 Fun Facts About February 19 In Illinois History
1. On February 19, 1861, Springfield, Illinois was the site of Abraham Lincoln's farewell speech before he left for his presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. Lincoln thanked his fellow citizens for their support and declared his commitment to preserving the Union. 2. In 1942, the U.S. government began forcibly relocating...
5 Fun Facts About February 18 In Illinois History
1. In 1861, Illinois Governor Richard Yates convened a special session of the General Assembly to address the growing crisis of secession in the South. The session began on February 18 and resulted in Illinois pledging its full support to the Union and offering to contribute troops to the war...