Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area from Nov. 2-8, according to the Tribune’s archives.
Are we missing an important event? Email me.
Nov. 2, 2016: “The most epic drought in sports history is over, and the Cubs are world champions,” Tribune columnist Paul Sullivan wrote.
After 108 years, the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series with a wild 8-7, 10-inning Game 7 victory over the Indians at Progressive Field. The triumph completed their climb back from a 3-1 Series deficit to claim their first championship since 1908.
Nov. 3, 1992: Ald. Luis Gutierrez of the 26th Ward became the first Latino member of Congress for Illinois. He served almost 26 years in office before endorsing Jesus “Chuy” Garcia — who won handily — in the 2018 election.
Born in Chicago and of Puerto Rican descent, Gutierrez was a vocal critic of President Donald Trump administration’s response to the heavy damage inflicted there by Hurricane Maria in 2017. The congressman visited the island to deliver food and supplies from Chicagoans. Gutierrez was among a half-dozen Democrats who introduced articles of impeachment against Trump in November 2017.
Nov. 4, 1939: The first car that featured air conditioning was exhibited at the Chicago Auto Show.
The 1940 Packard One-Twenty sedan also included heating.
Vintage Chicago Tribune: Inventions and innovations by Black Chicagoans
Nov. 5, 1867: Solomon McWorter of downstate Barry received the first patent granted to a Black person in the state of Illinois. According to the Illinois State Library, U.S. Patent No. 70,451 was for “Improvement in Evaporators for Reducing Sorghum and other like Sirups.”
McWorter explained its ingenuity in his patent application: “This invention relates to the combination of a steam-boiler and evaporating-pan in such a manner that the heat from the steam-boiler is imparted to the evaporating-pan without any danger of scorching the sirup.”
Nov. 7, 1940: Igor Stravinsky’s new C Major Symphony — which was written for and dedicated to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra — was presented for the first time at Orchestra Hall with Stravinsky himself conducting.
Nov. 8, 1873: The new Palmer House welcomed its first guests. At the time, 175 rooms were ready. Boarding was $3 per day (about $100 per day in today’s dollars). The previous version was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 — just 13 days after its grand opening.
Want more vintage Chicago?
Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.
Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com
