Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Sept. 8, according to the Tribune’s archives.
Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.
Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)
- High temperature: 96 degrees (1960)
- Low temperature: 43 degrees (1986)
- Precipitation: 1.65 inches (1885)
- Snowfall: None
1860: The Lady Elgin — a 252-foot side-wheel steamer ship headed from Chicago to Milwaukee on Lake Michigan — collided with the lumber schooner Augusta just before midnight during a thunderstorm. Because the Augusta was under sail it had the right of way, but the ship was difficult to see since it was running without marker lights. The collision left Lady Elgin with a gash in its side that caused it to sink 2 to 3 miles east of Highland Park within half an hour.
Many of those on board — including members of a Democratic organization from Milwaukee — didn’t know how to swim. Lifeboats were few. About 100 passengers were swept south to Winnetka where they were rescued by residents and Northwestern University students, according to the Winnetka Historical Society. An estimated 300 to 400 others died.
In the aftermath of the disaster — the greatest loss of life on the Great Lakes — better lighting became required on ships.
The Lady Elgin shipwreck was discovered by private salvor Harry Zych off Highland Park in 1989. Some of the vessel’s treasures are displayed at the Chicago Maritime Museum.
1918: The arrival of the flu pandemic in the Chicago area was first reported among sailors at Naval Station Great Lakes.
Up to 40% of U.S. Army and Navy personnel became infected with the flu and pneumonia from September through November 1918, according to a University of Michigan study.
1953: The Chicago Cubs bought the contract of Ernie Banks, a 22-year-old shortstop, from the Negro leagues’ Kansas City Monarchs for $10,000.
1954: An estimated 260,000 people — 180,000 inside Soldier Field and another 80,000 outside — gathered for a Mass in tribute to the Virgin Mary at Soldier Field.
1985: About 20,000 fans of “Miami Vice” gathered outside Marshall Field’s State Street store to get a glimpse of the show’s stars Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas. The duo signed autographs for fans decked out in sleeveless T-shirts, silk blazers and Hawaiian shirts on the store’s ninth floor.
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1986: Oprah Winfrey’s first nationally syndicated talk show debuted. Just seven months after Winfrey received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her professional acting debut performance as Sofia in “The Color Purple,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was broadcast at 9 a.m. CDT to audiences outside Chicago for the first time.
The theme of the first show: “How to marry the person of your choice.”
1987: The longest strike in Chicago Public Schools history began — on the first day of school. Some 430,000 students were stuck at home as 99% of Chicago’s public school teachers vowed to stay out of their classrooms as long as necessary to win a new contract with salary increases.
102 days on strike: Take a look back at Chicago’s 11 teacher strikes since 1969
How it was resolved: The record monthlong strike ended Oct. 3, 1987 in a two-year contract with a 4% salary increase the first year and another 4% raise next year (if money was found to finance the second wage boost). Class size was to be reduced by two students in kindergarten through third grade in 36 overcrowded schools and 100 underachieving schools. The $43.8 million package would be financed by cutting 1,800 positions, the Tribune reported.
Mayor Harold Washington promised the strike — which provoked outrage from parents and students across the city — would bring sweeping reform of Chicago public schools.
2024: Rookie Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams told reporters the team’s 24-17 comeback win over the Tennessee Titans in the season opener felt “unbelievable.”
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