Historical Highlights from Chicago on August 16

On August 16, multiple notable events have occurred in the Chicago area. This overview provides insights into historical happenings, drawing from Tribune’s archives.

Elvis Presley’s Death in 1977

Elvis Presley, the celebrated singer and actor, passed away on August 16, 1977. He was discovered unconscious in his Graceland mansion in Tennessee. At 3:30 p.m. Chicago time, he was declared dead at the age of 42.

Weather Records

Significant weather extremes were recorded on different August 16ths in Chicago:

• High Temperature: 98 degrees in 1988
• Low Temperature: 48 degrees in 2004
• Precipitation: 3.79 inches in 1968
• No recorded snowfall

Babe Ruth’s Landmark Home Run in 1927

In 1927, Babe Ruth became the first baseball player to hit a home run over the right field roof of Comiskey Park. It was his 37th home run of the season, contributing to the Yankees’ 8-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Bushman the Gorilla Arrives at Lincoln Park Zoo in 1930

Bushman, a young gorilla from Cameroon, arrived at the Lincoln Park Zoo in 1930. Purchased for $3,500 (equivalent to around $71,000 today), Bushman quickly became a beloved figure, drawing millions of visitors over his lifetime.

United Airlines Flight 389 Crash in 1965

On August 16, 1965, United Airlines Flight 389 tragically crashed into Lake Michigan near Highland Park, just before landing at O’Hare International Airport. The crash resulted in the loss of all 30 passengers on board.

Release of ‘Uncle Buck’ in 1989

The comedic film “Uncle Buck,” starring John Candy and filmed in Chicago, premiered in 1989. The Chicago Tribune gave the film a rating of 3 out of 4 stars.

Binti-Jua’s Heroic Act in 1996

Binti-Jua, a western lowland gorilla at Brookfield Zoo’s Tropic World exhibit, displayed remarkable maternal behavior on August 16, 1996. She rescued and cradled a 3-year-old boy who fell into her habitat, protecting him from other gorillas until zoo personnel could safely retrieve him.