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Today in Chicago History: Cassius Clay, 17, shocks an Australian champion boxer to win Golden Gloves championship

Tony Madigan, left, lands a left hook that pops back the head of Chicago’s Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in the 175-pound inter-city Golden Gloves title bout at Chicago Stadium on March 25, 1959. Clay, only 17, won an upset decision over the 29-year old Madigan. Editors note: This historic print shows hand painting. (Chicago's American)
Tony Madigan, left, lands a left hook that pops back the head of Chicago’s Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in the 175-pound inter-city Golden Gloves title bout at Chicago Stadium on March 25, 1959. Clay, only 17, won an upset decision over the 29-year old Madigan. Editors note: This historic print shows hand painting. (Chicago’s American)
By | krumore@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 25, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Front page flashback: March 26, 1947

Coal dust ignited in an explosion on March 25, 1947, at a mine in downstate Centralia. The disaster killed 111 people. (Chicago Tribune)
Coal dust ignited in an explosion on March 25, 1947, at a mine in downstate Centralia. The disaster killed 111 people. (Chicago Tribune)

1947: An explosion at the Centralia Coal Co.’s No. 5 mine downstate killed 111 people, making it the third-worst mining disaster in state history.

An investigation of the tragedy found negligence by the company but also “ineffective and indifferent policy toward enforcement of State Mining Laws for at least eighteen months with respect to this mine,” by government officials, according to the report.

Police form a cordon around the tipple at the Centralia Coal Co. No. 5 mine at Centralia, Illinois on March 26, 1947, as the body of one of the miners trapped by an explosion is removed from the mine. An ambulance waits near the mine entrance to remove the body to a temporary morgue. (Harry L. Hall/AP)
Police form a cordon around the tipple at the Centralia Coal Co. No. 5 mine at Centralia, Illinois, on March 26, 1947, as the body of one of the miners trapped by an explosion is removed from the mine. An ambulance waits near the mine entrance to remove the body to a temporary morgue. (Harry L. Hall/AP)

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 79 degrees (2007)
  • Low temperature: 12 degrees (1974)
  • Precipitation: 3.2 inches (1884)
  • Snowfall: 13.6 inches (1930)
A busy State and Madison Streets shows both cable cars and horse-drawn street cars in the 1890s. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
A busy State and Madison Streets shows both cable cars and horse-drawn street cars in the 1890s. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

1886: Charles T. Yerkes bought control of the North Chicago City Railway and was made its president. For the next 13 years, the Tribune campaigned against Yerkes’ attempt to gain a monopoly over the public transportation system.

Twelve people were killed inside the L. Fish Furniture Co. building at 1908 Wabash Ave., Chicago, on March 25, 1910, when a fire was ignited while a young man refilled cigarette lighters. (Chicago Tribune)
Twelve people were killed inside the L. Fish Furniture Co. building at 1908 Wabash Ave., Chicago, on March 25, 1910, when a fire was ignited while a young man refilled cigarette lighters. (Chicago Tribune)

1910: A fire inside the L. Fish Furniture Co. 1908 Wabash Ave., Chicago, killed 12 people — eight women and four men. A 21-year-old man, Leo Stoeckel, was taken into custody for starting the blaze while he filled cigarette lighters with benzine.

A fire chief had previously notified the company that a fire escape needed to be installed on the front of the building.

Aerial view of Municipal Airport, circa April 1, 1930. (Chicago American) glass plate negative, box 1996. MIDWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SNOW WINTER
An aerial view shows Municipal Airport covered in snow in Chicago, circa 1930. (Chicago American)

1930: A surprise storm dumped 19.2 inches of snow on Chicago — the sixth-largest blizzard in the city’s recorded history.

Cassius Clay, then 17 years old, won the 175-pound Golden Gloves championship by defeating Australian Anthony Madigan in three rounds on March 25, 1959, at Chicago Stadium. (Chicago Tribune)
Cassius Clay, then 17 years old, won the 175-pound Golden Gloves championship by defeating Australian Anthony Madigan in three rounds on March 25, 1959, at Chicago Stadium. (Chicago Tribune)

1959: Seventeen-year-old Cassius Clay (five years before he became Muhammad Ali) shocked Australian champion boxer Anthony Madigan in three rounds for the 175-pound title as part of the Golden Gloves tournament at Chicago Stadium.

Seven Continents restaurant opened in the Rotunda Building at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on March 25, 1963. (Chicago Tribune)
Seven Continents restaurant opened in the Rotunda Building at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on March 25, 1963. (Chicago Tribune)

1963: The $6-million Rotunda Building at O’Hare International Airport — with circular glass walls and four dining rooms — opened with a dinner in its upscale Seven Continents restaurant attended by Mayor Richard J. Daley and more than 200 other civic leaders.

Operated by Carson Pirie Scott & Co., Seven Continents was equipped to serve more than 20,000 meals each day to airport visitors and travelers. Entrees included live Maine lobster, Russian caviar and escargot, some flown in daily. Waiters, several of whom spoke three languages, were also imported — from Switzerland.

The Hawk's Bobby Hull (9) fires the puck past Boston's goalie Gerry Cheevers for his 600th National Hockey League goal on March 25, 1972, giving the Blackhawks a 5-5 tie with the Bruins at Boston Garden, Massachusetts. (UPI)
The Hawk’s Bobby Hull (9) fires the puck past Boston's goalie Gerry Cheevers for his 600th National Hockey League goal on March 25, 1972, giving the Blackhawks a 5-5 tie with the Bruins at Boston Garden, Massachusetts. (UPI)

1972: Bobby Hull of the Chicago Blackhawks received a 30-second standing ovation after he scored his 600th NHL goal during the third period of a game at the Boston Garden. It took 15 years for Hull to become the second person in the league to reach that milestone — Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings was the first.

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