1974: Gerald Ford Becomes President

On August 9, 1974, Gerald Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States at 11:05 a.m. CST. Richard Nixon’s resignation letter had been delivered to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger 40 minutes earlier, marking the end of Nixon’s presidency due to the Watergate scandal.

The Tribune’s Role in Watergate

The Chicago Tribune played a crucial role in the public’s understanding of Watergate. In April 1974, Tribune staff flew to Washington, D.C., and successfully printed the full transcript of Nixon’s Watergate tapes before other U.S. newspapers. This 246,000-word document was published in a special 44-page section.

Weather Records for August 9

• High temperature: 97°F (1913)
• Low temperature: 51°F (1972)
• Precipitation: 1.6 inches (1952)
• Snowfall: Trace (1954)

1922: Louis Armstrong Arrives in Chicago

At 20, Louis Armstrong arrived in Chicago from New Orleans, uncertain about his decision. His arrival marked a pivotal moment in jazz history. Influenced by Joe “King” Oliver’s invitation to join his band, Armstrong’s time in Chicago from 1922-1929 became some of his “finest days.”

1973: Lincoln Mall Opens

The grand opening of Lincoln Mall on August 9, 1973, made it the first enclosed mall in Chicago’s far south suburbs. It preceded Orland Square by nearly three years. Despite closing in January 2015 and later demolition, it remains a part of local heritage.

1985: Bruce Springsteen at Soldier Field

During his “Born in the U.S.A.” tour, Bruce Springsteen played at Soldier Field. Tragically, an accident occurred when a CTA bus collided with a Cadillac, resulting in seven fatalities among those heading to the concert.

1988: First Complete Night Game at Wrigley Field

After a rain-delayed start, Wrigley Field hosted its first complete night game on August 9, 1988. The Cubs defeated the New York Mets 6-4, witnessed by 36,399 fans, marking an iconic moment in Chicago sports history.

1993: Bo Jackson’s Memorable Game

Bo Jackson of the Chicago White Sox famously broke his bat over his knee after striking out against Bobby Witt of the Oakland Athletics. Frank Thomas and Robin Ventura added six hits, with Thomas hitting the game-winning solo home run.