2014: President Obama Campaigns for Governor Quinn
On October 19, 2014, President Barack Obama visited Chicago State University to campaign for Illinois Governor Pat Quinn during his re-election bid. Obama aimed to leverage his local popularity to stimulate voter turnout among Democrats in a non-presidential election year. The rally followed a high-value fundraiser.
Weather Records on October 19
The National Weather Service provided historical data for October 19 in Chicago. The highest recorded temperature was 84 degrees in 1971. The lowest temperature was 21 degrees in 1992. Maximum precipitation reached 2.22 inches in 1885. There was a snowfall of 3.8 inches in 1989.
1970: Convicted Murderer Escapes, Shot by Police
Gene Lewis attempted an escape from the Criminal Courts Building on October 19, 1970. Using a gun smuggled inside a hollowed book, Lewis managed to reach a judge’s library. He was sentenced to death for killing security guard James Wilson and was fatally shot by police during his escape attempt.
1983: Nobel Prize for Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
University of Chicago astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar earned the Nobel Prize in Physics on October 19, 1983. Shared with William Alfred Fowler, the award recognized Chandrasekhar’s work on white dwarfs, dying stars that collapse into dense celestial entities. Originally doubted by his peers, white dwarfs are now acknowledged as common stars in the universe. His uncle, C.V. Raman, was also a Nobel laureate.
1987: Starbucks Opens in Chicago
Starbucks debuted its first Chicago store on October 19, 1987. Located at 219 W. Jackson Blvd, the café served a range of coffee and espresso drinks, steamed cider, cocoa, and mineral water. A single espresso shot was priced at 81 cents, inclusive of tax.
1988: Nobel Prize for Fermilab Director Leon Lederman
Leon M. Lederman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics on October 19, 1988. Shared with Melvin Schwartz and Jack Steinberger, the prize recognized their contributions to subatomic particle research. Lederman led the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
2007: Patrick Kane Scores First NHL Goal
Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane, the NHL draft’s top pick, scored his first career goal on October 19, 2007, during a game against the Colorado Avalanche. Kane netted a goal and assisted twice, becoming the team’s top scorer with seven points that season.