Historical Events in the Chicago Area: June 21

Looking back at the Chicago area’s history on June 21, several significant events stand out. These moments reflect the city’s changing landscape and the pivotal events that shaped its history.

1958: End of Chicago’s Streetcar Era

On June 21, 1958, Al Carter became the final passenger to ride the last streetcar in Chicago. He departed from the city’s last trolley line as the streetcar chapter came to a close. Notably, Carter was also the last patron at the Century of Progress, the second World’s Fair hosted in Chicago during the 1933-34 period.

Record-Breaking Weather

Weather records show extremes on June 21 in different years. The highest temperature recorded was 101 degrees in 1988, while the lowest was 38 degrees in 1992. Precipitation reached 1.58 inches in 1875, and a trace of snowfall was recorded in 2013.

1920: The Case of the Ragged Stranger

In 1920, a shocking event occurred when Carl Wanderer, a U.S. Army veteran, staged the murder of his wife, Ruth Wanderer, who was pregnant at the time. Initially claiming an unknown assailant killed her during a robbery, Carl later confessed to murdering both her and the alleged attacker, giving rise to the infamous “Case of the Ragged Stranger.”

1921: Bessie Coleman’s Aerial Achievement

June 21, 1921, marks the day Bessie Coleman obtained her pilot’s license from the International Aeronautical Federation in France. She was the first Black woman to achieve this, preceding Amelia Earhart by nearly two years. Coleman aimed to inspire Black Americans to pursue aviation through exhibition flights.

1964: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Call for Action

The Illinois Rally for Civil Rights took place on June 21, 1964, where Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed over 57,000 attendees at Soldier Field. Despite a smaller crowd due to rain, King emphasized using nonviolent actions, such as demonstrations and voting, as key strategies in the struggle for civil rights.

1971: Chicago Teachers Union’s Decision

The Chicago Teachers Union made a significant decision on faculty integration in schools on June 21, 1971. They approved a plan, by a 2-1 margin, limiting any school faculty to not exceed 75% Black or white teachers. This vote indicated robust participation, surpassing previous contract votes.

1996: Museum of Contemporary Art’s New Era

The Museum of Contemporary Art unveiled its new location on East Chicago Avenue on June 21, 1996. The museum introduced a unique 24-hour opening event, drawing around 25,000 visitors. The absence of its founder, Joseph Randall Shapiro, who passed away a few days earlier, marked the occasion.

2011: Tornadoes Impact Suburbs

Tornadoes struck Downers Grove and Mount Prospect on June 21, 2011. Despite the severe weather, warning sirens remained silent. The tornadoes, each about 200 yards wide, left a path of destruction, uprooting trees and downing power lines over a two-mile stretch.