Today in Chicago History

Arizona's Jawann McClellan hides his face in disappointment as Illinois players celebrate behind him at midcourt after the Illini's overtime victory on March 26, 2005, at Allstate Arena. With the win, Illinois advanced to the Final Four. (John Lee/Chicago Tribune)

Today in Chicago History: Illinois rallies to beat Arizona in overtime at Allstate Arena

By Kori Rumore

March 26, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 26, according...

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)

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

By Kori Rumore

March 25, 2026 at 11:22 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 25, according...

Sister Jean smiles after she's surprised with an NCAA Final Four ring before the Loyola Ramblers play Nevada at Gentile Arena on Nov. 27, 2018. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Today in Chicago History: Loyola heads to the Final Four — and busts Sister Jean’s NCAA bracket

By Kori Rumore

March 24, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 24, according...

DePaul University men's basketball coach Ray Meyer is mobbed by fans upon his team's arrival at O'Hare International Airport after they defeated UCLA to advance to the Final Four of the 1979 NCAA tournament. (Don Casper/Chicago Tribune)

Today in Chicago History: DePaul reaches NCAA Final Four by beating No. 1 seed UCLA

By Kori Rumore

March 17, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 17, according...

Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh (30) celebrates after Northwestern defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores, 68-66, in an NCAA West Region first-round game on March 16, 2017, at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Today in Chicago History: Northwestern wins in its 1st NCAA Tournament appearance

By Kori Rumore

March 16, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 16, according...

Albert Einstein and his wife (not pictured) made a stop at Union Station in Chicago on March 3, 1931. The pair were passing through from Pasadena, California, on their way to New York. Einstein was greeted by pacifists and delivered a speech saying how brave those resisting war are. "The scientist was accompanied by Mrs. Einstein," wrote the Chicago Tribune, "who seemed to be spending most of her time seeing that her husband got into his overcoat and getting him to pose for photographers for the 300th time in America."(Chicago American)

Today in Chicago History: Albert Einstein visits Chicago on his 54th birthday

By Kori Rumore

March 14, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 14, according...

Chicago Cardinal Mal Hammack (31) goes for 2 yards before Fred Williams (75) ended the run during the Bears vs. Cardinals game held at Soldier Field on Nov. 30, 1959. (Steve Lasker/Chicago Today)

Today in Chicago History: NFL’s Cardinals leave for St. Louis

By Kori Rumore

March 13, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 13, according...

Bozo the clown celebrates the show's 17th year on Sept. 11, 1978. The show included guests Mayor Michael Bilandic, characters from Great America and a cake thrown with shaving cream. (James Mayo/Chicago Tribune)

Vintage Chicago Tribune: 10 television shows for kids filmed and broadcast in the city

By Kori Rumore

March 12, 2026 at 3:22 p.m.

Children who grew up in the Chicago area had access to an abundance of television...

Eugenia Godzik, center, mother of victim Gregory Godzik, speaks briefly to reporters after a two-hour session where the jury found John Wayne Gacy guilty on 33 counts of murder and two other charges on March 12, 1980. (Don Casper/Chicago Tribune)

Today in Chicago History: John Wayne Gacy found guilty of killing 33 young men

By Kori Rumore

March 12, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 12, according...

The body of a youth is carried from a school bus outside Belvidere High School after a tornado hit the town and the school April 21, 1967. School had just been dismissed when the tornado struck, sending school buses into a nearby field.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Tornadoes that left an impact on the area

By Kori Rumore

March 11, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

Here's look back at the most intense tornadoes that have impact Chicago and the state.

Edward Burke, second from right, on the day he was sworn in as alderman, is with his mother, Ann Burke, and Judge Joseph Hermes, left, and the Rev. Richard Wolfe of Visitation Parish, in City Council Chambers on March 14, 1969. (George Quinn/Chicago Tribune)

Today in Chicago History: Edward Burke, 25, becomes city’s second-youngest alderman

By Kori Rumore

March 11, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 11, according...

Marshall Field and Co.'s State Street store at Wabash and Randolph streets in 2005. (Chuck Berman/Chicago Tribune)

Today in Chicago History: Marshall Field’s put up for sale by Target

By Kori Rumore

March 10, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 10, according...

Gov. Pat Quinn signs into law a bill ending the death penalty in Illinois on March 9, 2011, at the Capitol in Springfield. With Quinn are sponsors Karen Yarbrough, third from right, and Kwame Raoul, second from left. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)

Today in Chicago History: Illinois abolishes the death penalty

By Kori Rumore

March 10, 2026 at 8:37 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 9, according...