Significant Historical Events in Chicago on July 28

World War I Begins: July 28, 1914

On July 28, 1914, the Chicago Tribune reported the widespread excitement in Chicago’s immigrant neighborhoods concerning the imminent war in Europe. Cafes, coffee houses, beer gardens, and street corners were buzzing with activity. As the paper reached readers, Austria-Hungary had invaded Serbia, marking the start of World War I.

Weather Extremes in Chicago

Weather records for July 28 show notable extremes. In 1983, the high temperature reached 100 degrees. The following year, in 1984, the low temperature recorded was 51 degrees. The heaviest precipitation amounted to 2.91 inches in 1906, with no snowfall reported on this date.

Baseball Milestone: Jimmy Ryan Hits for the Cycle

On July 28, 1888, Jimmy Ryan became the only Chicago Cub to hit for the cycle twice. In a game against the Detroit Black Sox, Ryan batted six times, achieving four hits with an average of .833. He repeated this feat on July 1, 1891, against Cleveland.

According to the Tribune, the day was remarkable for Ryan, who began with a single, followed by a home run, a triple, and concluded with a double in his subsequent at-bats.

Lincoln Park Zoo’s Deed-a-Day Elephants’ Tragic Story

Deed-a-Day, an elephant at Lincoln Park Zoo, was acquired in 1924 through generous donations from Chicago Boy Scouts. By 1942, the 25-year-old elephant succumbed to illness, later identified as trash ingestion by zoo visitors.

Criminal Code Reform in Illinois: 1961

In 1961, Governor Otto Kerner signed significant legislation in Illinois. The new code repealed the sodomy law, decriminalizing homosexual activity beginning January 1, 1962, making Illinois the first state to enact such a change.

Sporting Achievements

In 1976, White Sox pitchers Francisco Barrios and Blue Moon Odom accomplished the franchise’s only combined no-hitter game. The White Sox have achieved 20 no-hitters in their history.

Dick Butkus, a Chicago Bears linebacker from 1965-73, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. Known for his resilience, Butkus started 119 games, earning multiple accolades and leading the Bears with 27 fumble recoveries.

ChicagoFest Boycott: 1982

In 1982, Stevie Wonder withdrew from ChicagoFest following Rev. Jesse Jackson’s call for a Black boycott. The protest targeted Mayor Jane Byrne’s appointment of three white members to the Chicago Housing Authority board.

Confession of a Serial Killer: 2009

In 2009, Brian Dugan admitted to the 1983 murder of 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico. Initially sentenced to death, Dugan’s sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment when Illinois abolished the death penalty.