Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on April 18, according to the Tribune’s archives.
Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.
Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)
- High temperature: 89 degrees (2002)
- Low temperature: 23 degrees (1983)
- Precipitation: 3.83 inches (1975)
- Snowfall: 0.6 inches (2011)
1818: Congress passed the Illinois Enabling Act, which provided for the organization of a state government, fixed the northern boundary of Illinois and established a permanent school fund from a portion of the proceeds from the sale of public lands. President James Monroe signed the legislation on Dec. 3, 1818.
1925: The Woman’s World’s Fair opened at the American Exposition Building at Erie Street and Lake Shore Drive with a live address by President Calvin Coolidge transmitted from the White House and a military parade. Over eight days it drew 200,000 visitors, earned $50,000 in addition to liquidating the cost of mounting it, and made its point loud and clear: Women’s accomplishments were considerable and would be greater still, once men got out of their way.
In 1928, the annual fair was held at the Coliseum and had some 250 booths displaying women’s endeavors that ranged from architecture, dentistry and engineering to banking, publishing and printing. On the lighter side, there were evening and afternoon musical programs; talks on a different subject every day on health, savings, fashion; sessions with fortune-tellers; and various demonstrations, such as how to make gifts from flour sacks. The fair acquired an international flavor, too, when nine foreign countries — Denmark, Greece, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and Ukraine — sent exhibits of their crafts and products.
2007: Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle threw his first no-hitter at U.S. Cellular Field. Buehrle delighted a cold but enthusiastic crowd of 25,390 at the stadium during a 6-0 blanking of the Texas Rangers.
Buehrle followed it up with a perfect game there on July 23, 2009.
