1. In 1870, the first African American Illinois State Senator, John Henry Harmon, was sworn into office. Harmon fought for equal representation and education for African Americans in Illinois.

2. On January 15, 1915, the Chicago Cubs traded Hall of Fame pitcher Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown to the Cincinnati Reds. Brown played for the Cubs for 10 seasons and helped them win two World Series championships.

3. In 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia. While not an Illinois-specific fact, King's impact on the civil rights movement had a significant influence on Illinois and the country as a whole.

4. The Illinois state flag was adopted on January 15, 1915. The flag features the state seal centered on a background of white, with the Illinois name in blue at the bottom.

5. On January 15, 1966, the Chicago Bears won the NFL Championship (now known as the Super Bowl) against the New York Giants. This was the Bears' first championship win since 1946.