Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Dec. 31, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 68 degrees (1875)
  • Low temperature: Minus 10 degrees (1967)
  • Precipitation: 0.89 inches (1978)
  • Snowfall: 7.6 inches (1978)

The Briggs House at Randolph and Wells streets in 1957 was raised by hundreds of workers, and the hotel stayed open for business throughout. (Chicago Tribune)The Briggs House at Randolph and Wells streets in 1957 was raised by hundreds of workers, and the hotel stayed open for business throughout. (Chicago Tribune)

1855: Chicago began a project to raise streets (and buildings) out of the muck.

Over a period of almost two decades, Chicago’s buildings were jacked up 4 to 14 feet, higher foundations were built beneath them, storm sewers were placed on top of the streets, and the streets were then filled up to the level of the front doors of the raised buildings.

Raising Chicago out of the mud

To raise larger buildings, an enterprising newcomer to the city named George Pullman perfected a method involving hundreds of men turning thousands of large jackscrews at the same time.

Notre Dame kicker Bob Thomas puts his best toe forward on a 19-yard field goal to give the Irish a 24-23 upset victory in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama in New Orleans on Jan. 1, 1973. Holding is Brian Doherty. (JW/AP)Notre Dame kicker Bob Thomas boots a 19-yard field goal to give the Irish a 24-23 upset victory in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama in New Orleans on Jan. 1, 1973. Holding is Brian Doherty. (JW/AP)

1973: Notre Dame won the national title after with a 24-23 victory over previously unbeaten Alabama at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

Chicago Bears defensive end Sean Smith (97) and defensive tackle Steve McMichael (76) on the field against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game that became known as "Fog Bowl," Dec. 31, 1988 at Soldier Field. The Bears won 20-12. (John Dziekan/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears defensive end Sean Smith (97) and defensive tackle Steve McMichael (76) on the field against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game that became known as the “Fog Bowl,” Dec. 31, 1988 at Soldier Field. The Bears won 20-12. (John Dziekan/Chicago Tribune)

1988: The “Fog Bowl” — which marked the first time the Bears ever played on New Year’s Eve — is one of the franchise’s most memorable games. It also marked the first time in three seasons the Bears advanced past their first playoff game.

Fans at Soldier Field on Dec. 31, 1988, settled in to watch a divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles in unexpected comfort. There was bright sunshine, little wind and temperatures heading for the 40s.

Until a sudden slap in the face.

A look back at ‘The Fog Bowl’ on Dec. 31, 1988: ‘Steam from the bowels of Hell’

“A fog that rolled in from the lake late in the first half left the spectators to stare into a gray shroud from which the players would emerge with maddening infrequency,” Tribune reporter Phil Hersh wrote at the time.

Few of the 65,534 spectators were able to see the final moments of the Bears’ 20-12 victory because of the thick haze.

Mistakes by the Eagles — two touchdowns called back by penalties in the first 21 minutes and a dropped touchdown pass — allowed the Bears to preserve a lead before the fog rolled in. Still, the Bears weren’t perfect. Quarterback Mike Tomczak threw three interceptions and was flattened by Reggie White late in the third quarter and forced out of the game due to injury.

The Chicago Bears have played 4 times on New Year’s Eve and 5 on New Year’s Day. Here’s how they’ve done since 1988.

Kicker Kevin Butler made a 46-yard field goal but missed one of 51 yards. Eagles coach and former Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan refused to shake hands with Bears coach Mike Ditka.

Since then, the Bears have played on Dec. 31 three more times and on Jan. 1 five times.

Richard Gordon, military analyst for CLTV and WGN, does an interview from the Chicago Tribune newsroom in March 2003. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)Richard Gordon, military analyst for CLTV and WGN, does an interview from the Chicago Tribune newsroom in March 2003. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

2019: Local cable news channel CLTV shut down after a 26-year run.

CLTV launched in January 1993, bringing 24/7 local news to Chicago cable viewers before national news channels became cable powerhouses.

The channel’s name initially stood for ChicagoLand TV, employing a moniker coined decades earlier by Col. Robert R. McCormick, the former publisher of the Chicago Tribune. At its inception, CLTV was under the same corporate umbrella as the Tribune. But the cable channel owed much of its programming to WGN, which supplied everything from news content to Cubs baseball games over the years. CLTV also produced its own local newscasts.

Want more vintage Chicago?

Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com