Chicago Transit Authority Incident 1994
On July 25, 1994, Cecil Calimee, an employee of the Chicago Transit Authority, experienced a horrific attack at the Blue Line station on Kedzie Avenue and 19th Street. While inside his ticket booth shortly after opening around 4 a.m., Calimee was set ablaze. The attack left him with burns on his face, chest, and left arm. Calimee was formerly known as a semipro football player and a basketball coach at Farragut.
Weather Extremes in Chicago
- High Temperature: 101 degrees in 1940
- Low Temperature: 53 degrees in 1911
- Precipitation: 1.22 inches recorded in 1993
- Snowfall: None
Arrival of Sea Lions at Lincoln Park Zoo 1889
In July 1889, Lincoln Park Zoo welcomed 19 sea lions from Santa Barbara, California. Capt. Cyrus Alvah Eastman captured them and ensured their well-being by feeding them fish throughout their weeklong train trip. The Tribune reported complaints from nearby residents months later about the noise from the sea lions, attributing it to their cramped living conditions.
Origins of O’Hare International Airport 1942
In 1942, the Douglas Aircraft Co. initiated plans for an assembly plant at Orchard Place, leading to the demolition of homes and the development of infrastructure, including a railroad spur. This location eventually became O’Hare International Airport, a major global aviation hub.
Shooting Incident at St. John of God Church 1984
On July 25, 1984, a gunman disrupted a service at St. John of God Catholic Church, firing shots at a statue of the Virgin Mary. While the statue was hit, none of the 40 attendees were harmed. The gunman escaped and was never apprehended.
Dedication of Ida B. Wells Drive 2018
In 2018, Chicago’s City Council renamed Congress Parkway as Ida B. Wells Drive. This marked the first time a downtown street was named in honor of a woman of color. The street commemorates Ida B. Wells, a significant activist in Chicago’s history.