Significant Events in Chicago’s History on July 5

Notable Weather Extremes

July 5 is marked by some historical weather conditions in Chicago. According to the National Weather Service, the highest recorded temperature on this date was 103 degrees Fahrenheit in 2012. Meanwhile, the coolest low was 46 degrees in 1972. The record precipitation for this day was set in 1930 with 1.48 inches. No snowfall has been recorded on this date.

The Derecho of 1980

On July 5, 1980, Chicago experienced a significant weather event known as a derecho. Temperatures soared to 94 degrees by 4 p.m., only to plummet to 64 degrees when a cold front arrived at 11 p.m. Winds gusting up to 82 mph caused widespread damage, leaving 100,000 homes without power. The fiercest winds struck Northbrook, where a garage roof was torn off and dropped onto parked cars. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

Historical Heat Wave of 2012

The summer of 2012 was particularly scorching, with the temperature reaching 103 degrees on two consecutive days. This remains one of the hottest spells recorded in the area’s history.

The Chicago Defender’s Digital Transition

In 2019, the Chicago Defender, a pivotal publication founded in 1905 by Robert Sengstacke Abbott, announced the end of its print edition. The newspaper, influential during the Great Migration, now continues digitally at chicagodefender.com. Abbott’s vision led many Black Southerners to migrate north, growing its readership significantly beyond Chicago before World War I.

For more historical insights, you can subscribe to the Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter or follow their social media channels for updates on Chicago’s past.