1. In 1930, the Chicago Bears played their first game at Wrigley Field, defeating the Portsmouth Spartans 7-0. This iconic Chicago stadium would serve as the Bears' home field for the next several decades.

2. On September 29, 1960, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the John Hancock Center, the iconic skyscraper located on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. The building was completed in 1969 and stands at 1,128 feet tall.

3. In 1978, the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield hosted a concert featuring legendary country singer Willie Nelson. The event drew a crowd of over 9,000 fans and helped to solidify Nelson's status as one of the greatest performers of his era.

4. On September 29, 1982, the Illinois General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment guarantees equal protection under the law regardless of gender and has since been ratified by a total of 38 states.

5. In 2012, the Chicago Teachers Union went on strike for the first time in 25 years, protesting Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposed reforms to the city's public education system. The strike lasted seven days and ended with a compromise agreement that included increased salaries and job security for teachers.