Chicago

Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 census, it is the third-most populous city in the United States after New York City and Los Angeles. As the seat of Cook County, the second-most populous county in the U.S., Chicago is the center of the Chicago metropolitan area, often colloquially called "Chicagoland" and home to 9.6 million residents.
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Some of the key events about Chicago

  • 1833
    The Town of Chicago was incorporated with a population of 350 people
  • 1848
    The Illinois and Michigan Canal opened, connecting the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River system
  • 1871
    The Great Chicago Fire led to innovative urban planning and architectural advancements
  • 1871
    The Great Chicago Fire destroyed much of the city, leaving 100,000 residents homeless.
  • 1893
    The World's Columbian Exposition showcased Chicago's recovery and introduced several technological innovations
  • 1900
    The city completed the engineering feat of reversing the flow of the Chicago River for sanitation purposes
  • 1903
    The Iroquois Theater Fire killed over 600 people, becoming the deadliest single-building fire in U.S. history.
  • 1915
    The SS Eastland disaster occurred when a passenger ship capsized in the Chicago River, killing 844 people.
  • 1919
    The Chicago Race Riot resulted in 38 deaths and over 500 injuries, highlighting racial tensions in the city.
  • 1929
    The St. Valentine's Day Massacre saw seven men brutally murdered, epitomizing Chicago's gang violence during Prohibition.
  • 1942
    The world's first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction was achieved at the University of Chicago
  • 1955
    The first McDonald's franchise restaurant opened in Des Plaines, a suburb of Chicago
  • 1966
    The Summerdale police scandal exposed widespread corruption within the Chicago Police Department.
  • 1968
    Violent clashes erupted between police and protesters during the Democratic National Convention.
  • 1974
    The Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) was completed, becoming the world's tallest building at the time
  • 1974
    A major fire at the Gately's People's Store killed 29 people and injured many others.
  • 1979
    American Airlines Flight 191 crashed shortly after takeoff from O'Hare International Airport, killing all 271 people on board.
  • 1995
    Chicago experienced an extreme heat wave that led to improved emergency response systems
  • 1995
    A severe heat wave resulted in over 700 heat-related deaths in the city.
  • 2004
    Millennium Park opened, featuring iconic public art and architecture

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

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