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Today in Chicago History: Record-breaking April snowfall — 8 inches — socks evening commuters in 1970

Either on foot or by car, the traveling is slow for Chicagoans who are making their way home through the slushy snow that fell on the city in a record-breaking spring storm on April 1, 1970. The commuters are walking north over the Morgan Street bridge. (David Nystrom/Chicago Tribune)
Either on foot or by car, the traveling is slow for Chicagoans who are making their way home through the slushy snow that fell on the city in a record-breaking spring storm on April 1, 1970. The commuters are walking north over the Morgan Street bridge. (David Nystrom/Chicago Tribune)
By | krumore@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on April 1, according to the Tribune’s archives.

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

Sports flashback: April 1, 1972

It was supposed to be opening day at Wrigley Field on April 11, 1972, but these youngsters found the gates closed because of the players' strike. Hence they formed a picket line of their own, emulating their heroes. (Charles Osgood/Chicago Tribune)
It was supposed to be opening day at Wrigley Field on April 11, 1972, but these youngsters found the gates closed because of the players' strike. Hence they formed a picket line of their own, emulating their heroes. (Charles Osgood/Chicago Tribune)

1972: Major League Baseball players voted in Dallas to strike against team owners. The players demands included an increase in pay to their benefit program.

Thirteen Chicago Cubs players and their manager Leo Durocher arrived in Chicago to begin workouts at Holy Cross High School in River Grove — since they were locked out of all Cubs facilities.

The strike ended after 13 days, but all missed games were canceled. This meant divisional championships would be decided by percentages instead of number of games won.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: April fools

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 83 degrees (2010)
  • Low temperature: 17 degrees (1881)
  • Precipitation: 1.58 inches (1967)
  • Snowfall: 8.2 inches (1970)
The Chicago Tribune published illustrations making it look like dinosaurs had invaded the city on April 1, 1906. (Chicago Tribune)
The Chicago Tribune published illustrations making it look like dinosaurs had invaded the city on April 1, 1906. (Chicago Tribune)

1906: In a 7,000-word story, the Tribune claimed “dinosauria” took over the city.

Al Capone's home at 7244 S. Prairie Ave. on April 4, 1924, during the wake for Salvatore "Frank" Capone, Al's brother, who was killed during a shootout with the police in Cicero on election day, April 2, 1924. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
Al Capone's home at 7244 S. Prairie Ave. on April 4, 1924, during the wake for Salvatore "Frank" Capone, Al's brother, who was killed during a shootout with the police in Cicero on election day, April 2, 1924. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

1924: Al Capone’s brother Frank was killed in a shootout with Chicago police who were hired by Cicero to quell election disturbances in the village.

1955: Col. Robert R. McCormick, editor and publisher of the Tribune, died.

Office workers wait impatiently for buses as wet, heavy snow makes rush hour miserable on April 1, 1970. (Michael Budrys/Chicago Tribune) published April 2, 1970.Date Created: 1970-04-01 Copyright Notice: Chicago Tribune Folder Description: Chicago Weather - Snow Folder Extended Description: 1970 Title: Chicago Weather - Snow 1970 Subject: Chicago Weather - Snow 1970
Office workers wait impatiently for buses as wet, heavy snow makes rush hour miserable on April 1, 1970. (Michael Budrys/Chicago Tribune)

1970: Evening rush-hour commuters — who thought winter was over — felt foolish after the city was socked with a record-breaking spring snowfall. More than 8 inches of snow fell — the most ever on April 1 in Chicago.

Chicago Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause holds on tight to the NBA championship trophy during their victory parade in Grant Park on June 14, 1991, in Chicago. (John Kringas/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause holds on tight to the NBA championship trophy during the team's victory parade in Chicago's Grant Park on June 14, 1991. (John Kringas/Chicago Tribune)

2017: Just more than a week after he died, Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause’s name was announced as part of the Class of 2017 for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Who was Jerry Krause? 5 things to know about the villain — and in some ways, hero — of the Chicago Bulls dynasty

Krause joined Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson, Tex Winter, Dennis Rodman and Jerry Reinsdorf from the dynasty-era Bulls in receiving basketball’s highest honor. The induction ceremony took place Sept. 8, 2017, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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