Today in Chicago History: Daniel Burnham unveils his Plan of Chicago
Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.
What to do in Chicago for Fourth of July weekend: Wu-Tang Clan, patriotic music in Grant Park and fireworks at Navy PierWeather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)
1836: Construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal commenced at Canalport on the Chicago River.
1847: The first recorded sports competition was mentioned in the pages of the Tribune. About 5,000 spectators gathered to watch three contestants compete in a half-mile race: a quarter-mile to a pole, around the pole, then back to the starting point.
The three contestants were described as a barber named Louis Isbell, a Native American named White Foot and an unidentified 'pioneer' atop a horse. Isbell beat White Foot by inches. The horse finished third due to his inability to cut the corner at the quarter-mile pole. This cost the horse and its pioneer rider their early lead. The report did not mention whether there was place or show betting.
1909: Daniel Burnham's Plan of Chicago was unveiled.
1916: Municipal Pier (later known as Navy Pier) opened.
1929: Chicago Cubs outfielder Hack Wilson, irked at the bench jockeying by Cincinnati Reds pitcher Ray Kolp, jumped into the Cincinnati dugout, seeking to punch his tormentor. Wilson was ejected from the Cubs' victory. That night, while both the Cubs and Reds awaited their trains in Chicago's Union Station, Wilson punched out Reds pitcher Pete Donahue.
1931: George Lott — who called himself 'the best doubles player ever' — won both the men's doubles and mixed doubles championships at Wimbledon. The Big Ten champion at the University of Chicago in the 1920s won his second Wimbledon doubles title in 1934 and had five U.S. Championships doubles titles.
Lott coached DePaul University's tennis team into his 80s.
1940: The American Negro Exposition, showcasing Black people's accomplishments in the 75 years since Juneteenth, opened at the Chicago Coliseum.
1973: Billy Goat Tavern owner Sam Sianis and goat Socrates arrived at Wrigley Field in a limousine, but were turned away at every gate. Sianis' uncle and another goat were banned from Wrigley Field almost 28 years prior.
Eleven years later, Sianis — and a goat — were finally allowed inside the ballpark.
1980: Taste of Chicago debuted on North Michigan Avenue.
At the time, the city's big summer blowout was a different event — ChicagoFest.
1991: The Replacements played the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park as part of a free concert during Taste of Chicago. It would be the band's last concert for 22 years.
Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Jeff McNeil's late home run propels Mets past sliding Yankees in Subway Series thriller
Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free Jeff McNeil flipped his bat and began his jog to first base with his hands clasped behind his back as he turned toward the Mets dugout. The Mets had scratched, using a makeshift pitching alignment, to remain in this game on Friday and there was McNeil to detonate the last needed fireworks barrage. Boom. McNeil's two-run homer in the seventh inning gave the Mets a Fourth of July delight with a 6-5 victory over the Yankees at Citi Field. The Mets smashed three homers in winning their third straight, further distancing them from a horrid stretch that included a three-game beatdown in Pittsburgh last weekend in which a players' only meeting was held. 3 Jeff McNeil put the Mets ahead with a homer in the seventh inning on July 4, 2025 against the Yankees. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post The Yankees lost their fifth straight, continuing their recent pitching slump. On this day, it was Luke Weaver to deliver the disappointment, with a blown save in the seventh. Pete Alonso's two-out walk in the eighth gave the Mets a pulse before McNeil unloaded on a full-count changeup from Weaver to put the Mets ahead. 3 Juan Soto had a huge day for the Mets on Friday. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post 3 Juan Soto had a huge day for the Mets on Friday. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post If that wasn't enough, McNeil's lunging grab and throw to first on DJ LeMahieu's one-hop bloop in the ninth prevented the Yankees from putting the tying run on base. Reed Garrett pitched the final two innings scoreless for the save, with Edwin Diaz unavailable following back-to-back appearances.
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Reliever Santillan strikes out Bohm with bases loaded in the 8th, Reds beat Phillies 9-6
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Spencer Steer hit a two-RBI double to spark a five-run third inning and Reds reliever Tony Santillan struck out Alec Bohm with the bases loaded to end the eighth and lead Cincinnati past the Philadelphia Phillies 9-6 on Friday. Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo lasted only two-plus innings and Reds starter Andrew Abbott — both pitchers entered with seven wins — couldn't get out of the fourth. The Reds or Phillies scored at least one run in each of the first six innings and the defending NL East champion Phillies finished with 14 hits. The Reds had 11. Nick Castellanos hit a two-run homer in the first inning to help stake Luzardo (7-5) to a 3-0 lead. Luzardo pitched like an All-Star deep into May with an ERA hovering under 2.00 through his first 10 starts. He has been rocked in most of his outings since. He allowed a run in the second inning and gave up two run-scoring singles, a sacrifice fly and Steer's double in the third that made it 6-3. Elly De La Cruz added an RBI single in the fourth and the Reds tacked on two more runs in the fifth for a 9-4 lead. Sam Moll — one of seven Reds pitchers — tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win and Emilio Pagán got his 19th save. Santillan truly saved the game when he caught Bohm looking on a 98 mph fastball to keep the score 9-6. Trailing 7-4 in the fifth, the Phillies had runners on the corners with one out and Kyle Schwarber at bat. Schwarber hit a comebacker to the pitcher, who got the forceout at second. Edmundo Sosa hesitated on the basepath and got a late jump before he decided to scurry home. De La Cruz nailed Sosa at the plate to end the inning. Key stat Up next The Reds send LHP Nick Lodolo (5-5, 3.52 ERA) to the mound against Phillies LHP Ranger Suárez (7-2, 2.00 ERA). ___
2 hours ago
Reliever Santillan strikes out Bohm with bases loaded in the 8th, Reds beat Phillies 9-6
PHILADELPHIA -- Spencer Steer hit a two-RBI double to spark a five-run third inning and Reds reliever Tony Santillan struck out Alec Bohm with the bases loaded to end the eighth and lead Cincinnati past the Philadelphia Phillies 9-6 on Friday. Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo lasted only two-plus innings and Reds starter Andrew Abbott — both pitchers entered with seven wins — couldn't get out of the fourth. The Reds or Phillies scored at least one run in each of the first six innings and the defending NL East champion Phillies finished with 14 hits. The Reds had 11. Nick Castellanos hit a two-run homer in the first inning to help stake Luzardo (7-5) to a 3-0 lead. Luzardo pitched like an All-Star deep into May with an ERA hovering under 2.00 through his first 10 starts. He has been rocked in most of his outings since. He allowed a run in the second inning and gave up two run-scoring singles, a sacrifice fly and Steer's double in the third that made it 6-3. Elly De La Cruz added an RBI single in the fourth and the Reds tacked on two more runs in the fifth for a 9-4 lead. Sam Moll — one of seven Reds pitchers — tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win and Emilio Pagán got his 19th save. Santillan truly saved the game when he caught Bohm looking on a 98 mph fastball to keep the score 9-6. Trailing 7-4 in the fifth, the Phillies had runners on the corners with one out and Kyle Schwarber at bat. Schwarber hit a comebacker to the pitcher, who got the forceout at second. Edmundo Sosa hesitated on the basepath and got a late jump before he decided to scurry home. De La Cruz nailed Sosa at the plate to end the inning. Reds manager Terry Francona moved four wins away from becoming the 13th manager to win 2,000 games. The Reds send LHP Nick Lodolo (5-5, 3.52 ERA) to the mound against Phillies LHP Ranger Suárez (7-2, 2.00 ERA).
