1. In 1952, a devastating F4 tornado struck the city of Ottawa, Illinois on September 19, killing 3 people and injuring over 100 others. The tornado hit during the early evening hours and caused significant damage to homes and businesses in the area.

2. On September 19, 1970, the state of Illinois officially recognized the Illinois Prairie State Nature Preserve System, which works to protect and preserve the natural prairies found throughout the state. Today, the system includes over 1,800 acres of land and is home to a variety of rare plant and animal species.

3. In 1863, during the Civil War, the Union army under the leadership of General William Rosecrans defeated Confederate forces in the Battle of Chickamauga. Many soldiers from Illinois served in this battle, which is considered one of the bloodiest of the entire war.

4. September 19, 1911 marked the opening of the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois. The fairgrounds have since become a popular destination for events, concerts, and of course, the annual Illinois State Fair.

5. On September 19, 1985, a fire broke out at the Little Village Discount Mall in Chicago, which claimed the life of ten people and injured dozens more. The fire was started by an arsonist and resulted in significant changes to the city's fire code and inspection processes.