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Today in Chicago History: Sudden death at Medinah — Hale Irwin makes putt for birdie to win US Open

Hale Irwin kisses the U.S. Open trophy after winning the championship for the third time in his career on June 18, 1990, at Medinah Country Club. (Al Behrman/AP)
Hale Irwin kisses the U.S. Open trophy after winning the championship for the third time in his career on June 18, 1990, at Medinah Country Club. (Al Behrman/AP)
By | krumore@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 18, according to the Tribune’s archives.

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

Flashback: June 18, 2010

MV Buccaneer, a 100-foot boat, begins to sink in Lake Michigan, 10 miles east of Burnham Harbor, on June 18, 2010. The sinking of the boat had been planned for two years. (William DeShazer/Chicago Tribune)
MV Buccaneer, a 98-foot-long boat, begins to sink in Lake Michigan, 10 miles east of Burnham Harbor, on June 18, 2010. The sinking of the boat had been planned for two years. (William DeShazer/Chicago Tribune)

2010: After years of submitting an application and awaiting approvals, the 98-foot-long World War II vessel was intentionally sunk to the bottom of Lake Michigan to serve as a new destination for divers.

“Every diver would like to find a ship at the bottom looking like a ship in a bottle, but it’s a long time getting there,” said scuba diving instructor Capt. Jim Gentile. “Now I can’t wait to dive it.”

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Lake Michigan shipwrecks close to the city

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 98 degrees (1954)
  • Low temperature: 45 degrees (1999)
  • Precipitation: 1.86 inches (2025)
  • Snowfall: Trace (1998)
Joseph Medill, as he looked in 1880, which marked 26 years of executive association with the Chicago Tribune. In 1874 Medill acquired control of a majority of the newspaper's stock. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
Joseph Medill, as he looked in 1880, which marked 26 years of executive association with the Chicago Tribune. In 1874, Medill acquired control of a majority of the newspaper's stock. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

1855: Joseph Medill and partners bought the Tribune. Daily circulation grew from about 1,400 copies in 1855, to as high as 40,000 during the Civil War, when the paper was a strong supporter of President Lincoln and emancipation.

Flashback: ‘More dead than alive:’ Chicago Tribune staffers recount how they labored to save their building — and get the paper out — during the Great Chicago Fire

Medill kept the Tribune in production during the Great Chicago Fire, then was elected mayor.

William Howard Taft, from Ohio, was nominated for president on June 18, 1908, at the Republican National Convention held at the Chicago Coliseum. (Chicago Tribune)
William Howard Taft, from Ohio, was nominated for president on June 18, 1908, at the Republican National Convention held at the Chicago Coliseum. (Chicago Tribune)

1908: Then U.S. Secretary of War William Howard Taft was nominated for president on the first ballot — receiving 702 out of a possible 980 votes — at the Republican convention in Chicago.

From Kamala Harris to Lewis Cass: Who Illinois voters have chosen for president since 1824

Taft defeated William Jennings Bryan on Nov. 3, 1908, to become president.

Hale Irwin's 10-foot putt for birdie on the No. 1 hole in sudden death during the U.S. Open at Medinah on June 18, 1990, was the stuff of dreams his own. "I can say now that I had a dream two weeks ago I won the Open. I told my wife about it," the three-time Open champion said. (Chicago Tribune)
Hale Irwin's 10-foot putt for birdie on the No. 1 hole in sudden death during the U.S. Open at Medinah on June 18, 1990, was the stuff of dreams — his own. "I can say now that I had a dream two weeks ago I won the Open. I told my wife about it," the three-time Open champion said. (Chicago Tribune)

1990: Hale Irwin, at 45, became the oldest man to win the U.S. Open when he beat Mike Donald in a 19-hole playoff at Medinah’s famed No. 3 championship course. Irwin, who won Opens in 1974 and 1979, and Donald tied with 280 scores after 72 holes. Both pros shot 74s in the 18-hole playoff. Then they went to the No. 1 tee to begin a sudden-death showdown. Irwin birdied the first hole with a 3. Donald parred the hole.

1996: “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski — the Chicago-area native who became a mathematics professor then a recluse — was indicted in four attacks, including mail bombs that killed two men. These were the first charges connecting him with the 18-year-long chain of mail bombings that led to three deaths, 23 injuries and a brief shutdown of air traffic and mail service on the West Coast.

5 things you might not know about Chicago native Ted Kaczynski — the ‘Unabomber’

Kaczynski pleaded guilty in 1998 — almost 20 years after his first pipe bomb exploded — choosing to spend life in prison rather than be portrayed at trial as mentally ill.

Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Desjardins (11) hoists the Stanley Cup trophy as confetti rains down on the crowd during the Stanley Cup celebration rally on June 18, 2015, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Desjardins hoists the Stanley Cup trophy as confetti rains down on the crowd during the Stanley Cup celebration rally on June 18, 2015, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle/Chicago Tribune)

2015: Thousands of fans in the Soldier Field stands cheered wildly, and danced to team anthem “Chelsea Dagger” to celebrate another Stanley Cup championship for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Players warm up behind the newly extended safety netting before the Chicago White Sox take on the Miami Marlins on July 22, 2019, at Rate Field in Chicago. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)
Players warm up behind the newly extended safety netting before the Chicago White Sox take on the Miami Marlins on July 22, 2019, at Rate Field in Chicago. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)

2019: The Chicago White Sox announced plans to extend protective netting to the foul poles at Rate Field, the first major league team to do so, after two incidents involving foul balls hitting fans — on May 30 in Houston, and at Rate Field on June 10.

Illinois 250: Sports teams and individuals that have achieved greatness — or infamy

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Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com

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