Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 6, according to the Tribune’s archives.
Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.
Front page flashback: March 7, 1857
1857: The U.S. Supreme Court issued its infamous Dred Scott decision, which legitimized the institution of slavery.
“The Scott family didn’t find the freedom they sought through the legal challenge,” according to the National Park Service. “But their courage and determination in filing this case helped bring about the Civil War and freedom from enslavement for all Americans.”
Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)
- High temperature: 70 degrees (2000)
- Low temperature: 0 degrees (2015)
- Precipitation: 0.92 inches (1894)
- Snowfall: 4 inches (1943)
1933: Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak died 20 days after he was struck by an assassin’s bullet presumably intended for President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in Miami.
Once at the hospital, Cermak reportedly uttered the line that is engraved on his tomb. Speaking to FDR, Cermak allegedly said: “I’m glad it was me instead of you.” The Tribune reported the quote without attributing it to a witness, and most scholars doubt it was ever said.
1964: Elijah Muhammad, head of the Chicago-based Nation of Islam, bestowed the name Muhammad Ali on new follower Cassius Clay.
“I am honored,” the heavyweight champion said when notified in Louisville, Kentucky.
Also in 1964: Loyola University sprinter Tom O’Hara set the indoor mile record of 3:56.4 in the Bankers Mile at Chicago Stadium in the 1964 Chicago Daily News Relays.
2017: Hours after Gov. Bruce Rauner offered two options to provide $215 million to Chicago Public Schools, Chance the Rapper cut the district a $1 million check that the Grammy-winning musician described as a “call to action” for the city’s business and philanthropic community.
Chance was critical of the Republican governor’s efforts to fix the city’s schools during a news conference in West Chatham on the South Side, not far from the musician’s old neighborhood.
“Gov. Rauner still won’t commit to give Chicago’s kids a chance without caveats or ultimatums,” Chance told students and reporters at Westcott Elementary School. “Gov. Rauner, do your job.”
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