Significant Historical Events in Chicago on June 23

Chicago has witnessed a myriad of historical events on June 23, as revealed through the Tribune archives.

Sports Flashback: June 24, 1895

On June 24, 1895, the Chicago Colts (later known as the Cubs) faced the Cleveland Spiders. The game was interrupted after the third inning when the team was arrested for violating the law that forbade baseball games on Sundays. Despite this intervention, the crowd of 10,000 at West Side Grounds patiently waited as the players posted $100 bail bonds. They rescheduled the game and achieved a 13-4 victory.

Weather Records

• High temperature of 97 degrees in 1930.
• Low temperature of 44 degrees in 1982.
• Precipitation reached 3.04 inches in 1892.
• Trace snowfall was recorded in 1916.

1888: Frederick Douglass at the Republican National Convention

Frederick Douglass made history by speaking at the Republican National Convention held at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre in 1888. Kentucky cast one vote for Douglass on the fourth ballot, marking him as the first Black individual to receive a presidential nomination. Chicago’s long-standing relationship with hosting political conventions began in 1860.

1930: Hack Wilson’s Historic Achievement

In 1930, Hack Wilson played a remarkable game for the Chicago Cubs, hitting for the cycle against the Philadelphia Phillies. He set a single-season record with 191 runs batted in. During this game, he hit his 22nd home run into right field, followed by a triple, a double, and two singles.

1960: United Airlines Headquarters

Groundbreaking occurred in 1960 for United Airlines’ headquarters and training schools on a 51-acre site near O’Hare International Airport, in Elk Grove Village. United Airlines remained at this location until relocating to Willis Tower in 2009. The site is now undergoing redevelopment by CloudHQ for a $2.5 billion data center campus.

1975: The Passing of ‘Burke’s Law’

Chicago City Council passed an ordinance called ‘Burke’s Law’ in 1975. Proposed by former 14th Ward Alderman Edward Burke, the ordinance prohibited nudity in massage parlors. The name was inspired by a popular detective television show of the time.

1976: Pelé’s Last Match at Soldier Field

In 1976, soccer icon Pelé played his last match at Soldier Field, as the Chicago Sting triumphed over the New York Cosmos before a crowd of 28,000 fans.

1984: ‘The Sandberg Game’

Ryne Sandberg’s performance during ‘The Sandberg Game’ in 1984 was pivotal for the Chicago Cubs. Sandberg hit two late-inning home runs against Bruce Sutter of the St. Louis Cardinals, tying the game twice. The Cubs eventually won in 11 innings, highlighting Sandberg’s rise to stardom and contributing to his National League MVP Award. The Cubs’ success continued through the summer, despite not reaching a World Series victory.

2000: Churchill Downs Inc. Acquires Arlington Park

Arlington Park was purchased by Churchill Downs Inc. in 2000 for $71 million. The park closed on September 25, 2021, leading to the Chicago Bears purchasing the site in February 2023 amidst discussions of moving from Soldier Field.