1) In 1851, the Illinois State Capitol building was completed in Springfield after three years of construction. The building, designed by architect John F. Rague, was built using locally sourced materials such as brick and limestone.
2) In 1907, the first ever automobile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was won by an Illinois-based driver named Harroun. He won the race in a Marmon Wasp with an average speed of 74.59 mph. This victory helped to establish Harroun as a racing legend and paved the way for future Illinois drivers in the sport.
3) On May 31, 1967, the first ever home game was played at Wrigley Field after the installation of lights for night games. The Chicago Cubs played against the Philadelphia Phillies, with the Cubs winning 6-4. Night baseball at Wrigley Field would go on to become a beloved tradition for Cubs fans.
4) In 1988, Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the first time in his career. Jordan would go on to win the award four more times throughout his career, solidifying his place as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
5) On May 31, 2004, former Illinois Governor George Ryan was found guilty on all counts in a federal corruption trial. Ryan, who had served as Governor from 1999 to 2003, was convicted of multiple charges including racketeering and fraud. He was later sentenced to six and a half years in prison.
5 Fun Facts About May 31 In Illinois History
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