There are some things you’ll just never forget, and these nine historical events that happened in Illinois are a few. From sporting triumphs for tragic disasters, Illinoisans have seen it all. Scroll on for more details.
- The Opening Of The First McDonald’s
Wikimedia Commons/Bruce Marlin Though the company tried out several pilots of this chain, the technical original McDonald’s was considered to be this golden arches style eatery, which opened in Des Plaines in 1955. For many years, a replica existed in the same town and served as a museum before also being torn down. If you were born in the Land of Lincoln, you might remember all three of these events. Click here to learn more about the history of McDonald’s in Illinois.
- The Deadliest Plane Crash In U.S. History
Wikimedia Commons/TXZeiss In the late spring of 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 took off from O’Hare destined for Los Angeles with 271 people on board. A blown engine at take-off caused the plane to crash into an abandoned hanger and the corner of a trailer park killing two additional people. Learn more about this terrible disaster here.
- Cubs Win World Series After 108 Years
Wikimedia Commons/Arturo Pardavila III Though predicted to happen a year earlier, the Cubs finally won another World Series after more than 100 years of loses. It was a victory that was celebrated throughout many states.
- White Sox Win The World Series In 2005
flickr/Ken Lund Illinois is home to many good sports teams, even if some of them don’t get as much recognition. The White Sox have won just as many World Series as the Cubs, and if you were born here or grew up in the state, you likely remember the most recent as one of Illinois’ most historical events.
- Blackhawks Win The Stanley Cup… Again
flickr/Ron Cogswell The Chicago Blackhawks have Stanley Cup wins that go back to 1934. The most recent was in 2015, and they also won in 2013 and 2010. These historical events go down in Illinois sports history forever.
- Deadliest College Mass Shooting in Illinois
Wikipedia/Abog No one will forget the tragic events of February 14, 2008, when a lone gunman killed five students and himself, injuring 17 more people in the process. The incident took place at Cole Hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in the afternoon.
- Illinois’ First Stretch Of Tollway
Wikimedia Commons/Ken Lund In 1958, the state opened its first stretch of the Tollway highway between Devon Avenue and Elgin. It is known as the James Addams Memorial Tollway.
- Illinois’ First Skyscraper
Wikimedia Commons/Librarian1984 Completed in 1973 and always better known as the Sears Tower, Willis Tower 110 stories and 1,450-feet tall. Once the tallest building in the world, it holds attractions and businesses.
- Tri-State Tornado
Wikimedia Commons/Skyodyssey~commonswiki Only Illinois’ oldest residents will remember this event, and it’ll most likely be through stories. Taking place in 1925, this devastating, single tornado passed through Missouri as well as southern Illinois and Indiana taking 695 lives and leveling numerous houses and other buildings, trees, and more.
For more like this, check out 10 reasons to be proud of Illinois.
Wikimedia Commons/Bruce Marlin
Though the company tried out several pilots of this chain, the technical original McDonald’s was considered to be this golden arches style eatery, which opened in Des Plaines in 1955. For many years, a replica existed in the same town and served as a museum before also being torn down. If you were born in the Land of Lincoln, you might remember all three of these events. Click here to learn more about the history of McDonald’s in Illinois.
Wikimedia Commons/TXZeiss
In the late spring of 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 took off from O’Hare destined for Los Angeles with 271 people on board. A blown engine at take-off caused the plane to crash into an abandoned hanger and the corner of a trailer park killing two additional people. Learn more about this terrible disaster here.
Wikimedia Commons/Arturo Pardavila III
Though predicted to happen a year earlier, the Cubs finally won another World Series after more than 100 years of loses. It was a victory that was celebrated throughout many states.
flickr/Ken Lund
Illinois is home to many good sports teams, even if some of them don’t get as much recognition. The White Sox have won just as many World Series as the Cubs, and if you were born here or grew up in the state, you likely remember the most recent as one of Illinois’ most historical events.
flickr/Ron Cogswell
The Chicago Blackhawks have Stanley Cup wins that go back to 1934. The most recent was in 2015, and they also won in 2013 and 2010. These historical events go down in Illinois sports history forever.
Wikipedia/Abog
No one will forget the tragic events of February 14, 2008, when a lone gunman killed five students and himself, injuring 17 more people in the process. The incident took place at Cole Hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in the afternoon.
Wikimedia Commons/Ken Lund
In 1958, the state opened its first stretch of the Tollway highway between Devon Avenue and Elgin. It is known as the James Addams Memorial Tollway.
Wikimedia Commons/Librarian1984
Completed in 1973 and always better known as the Sears Tower, Willis Tower 110 stories and 1,450-feet tall. Once the tallest building in the world, it holds attractions and businesses.
Wikimedia Commons/Skyodyssey~commonswiki
Only Illinois’ oldest residents will remember this event, and it’ll most likely be through stories. Taking place in 1925, this devastating, single tornado passed through Missouri as well as southern Illinois and Indiana taking 695 lives and leveling numerous houses and other buildings, trees, and more.
What other historical events do you remember from Illinois’ past? Share your fondest memories with us below in the comments.
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Address: Willis Tower, 233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, USAAddress: Cole Hall, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
