1. In 1835, Chicago officially became a city on August 25th. The population at the time was just over 4,000 people.

2. On August 25, 1914, the first electric traffic signal was installed in the United States in Cleveland, Ohio. This invention drastically changed the way traffic operated in cities, including Chicago.

3. In 1959, the Illinois Tollway began operating on August 25th, connecting Chicago to other areas of the state.

4. The Illinois State Fair, a yearly event celebrating agriculture, began on August 25, 1853. Today, the fair attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

5. On August 25, 1979, the amusement park Six Flags Great America opened in Gurnee, Illinois. It has since become one of the most popular attractions in the state, drawing visitors from around the world.