A Look at Chicago’s Past: June 5
The history of Chicago is marked by significant events. On June 5, several key occurrences have left a lasting impact. Here are some notable events from the archives.
1946: LaSalle Hotel Fire
A tragic fire engulfed the LaSalle Hotel, located at the intersection of LaSalle and Madison streets. The blaze resulted in 61 fatalities and injured over 200 people. This incident marks the worst hotel fire in the city’s history. The building was eventually demolished in the 1970s.
Weather Records in Chicago
The National Weather Service in Chicago has documented several remarkable weather events on June 5:
- High temperature: 97 degrees in 1971.
- Low temperature: 37 degrees in 1945.
- Precipitation: 1 inch recorded in 1932.
- Snowfall: A trace in 1955.
1854: Rock Island Railroad
In 1854, the Rock Island Railroad established a connection from Chicago to Lockport and the Mississippi River. This facilitated transportation and trade for the region.
1913: Auto-Polo at Comiskey Park
June 1913 saw the debut of auto-polo matches at Comiskey Park. The games between Chicago and New York ended with Chicago winning the night match 10-8. Importantly, no competitors were hurt during the contest.
1985: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
According to the iconic film, this was the date when Ferris Bueller skipped school for a day of adventure in Chicago with his friends. This fictional event is celebrated for its depiction of Chicago landmarks.
1989: Frank Thomas Drafted by Chicago White Sox
On June 5, 1989, the Chicago White Sox selected Auburn University’s Frank Thomas in the first round of the baseball amateur draft. Known as the “Big Hurt,” Thomas went on to have a distinguished career with the White Sox, hitting 521 home runs and earning a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
1991: Iconic Michael Jordan Moment
During an NBA Finals game, Michael Jordan made a spectacular play, switching hands mid-air to complete a layup against Seattle’s Sam Perkins. Commentator Marv Albert famously exclaimed, “Oh! A spectacular move by Michael Jordan!”
1996: Princess Diana’s Visit to Chicago
On June 5, 1996, Princess Diana made her first visit to Chicago with the aim of raising awareness and funds for cancer charities. Her 46-hour visit included a breast cancer symposium at Northwestern University and a gala dinner at the Field Museum, where she danced with Phil Donahue. Over $1 million was raised for cancer-related causes.