December 28 is a special day in Illinois history as it marks the anniversary of significant events and milestones that have helped shape the state into what it is today. Here are five interesting facts about December 28 in Illinois history:

1. In 1818, Illinois became the 21st state of the United States, based on the Enabling Act signed by President James Monroe. Illinois had previously been part of the Northwest Territory which was controlled by the federal government.

2. In 1832, the first issue of the "Illinois State Journal" was published in Springfield, Illinois. This was the first newspaper in the state to represent political interests rather than just covering local news and events.

3. In 1896, the Sherman House, a historic hotel in Chicago, was destroyed by a massive fire. The hotel was famous for hosting many famous guests, including Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant.

4. In 1946, the Central Illinois Regional Airport opened in Bloomington, Illinois, providing air travel services to residents of the region. Today, the airport serves over 200,000 passengers annually.

5. In 1973, Illinois' worst plane crash occurred when a DC-10 plane crashed near O'Hare International Airport, killing 273 people onboard. This event became known as the "Chicago O'Hare Airport Disaster" and it remains one of the deadliest accidents in aviation history.

These five events have significantly impacted the history and development of Illinois, making December 28 a significant day in the state's calendar of events.