Flashback:<\/strong> Aug. 19, 1895<\/p>\n 1895:<\/strong> A fire<\/a> almost completely destroyed serial killer H.H. Holmes\u2019 so-called \u201cMurder Castle\u201d<\/a> at 610 W. 63rd St. The building, which initially had a drugstore on the ground floor and rooms on the second floor before a third story was later constructed, did indeed have secret rooms<\/a> and a walk-in vault that was \u201cmostly\u201d soundproof. But it likely was used to conceal stolen furniture rather than murder, experts say.<\/p>\n Weather records <\/strong>(from the National Weather Service, Chicago<\/a>)<\/p>\n 1886:<\/strong>\u00a0Eight radicals<\/a>\u00a0who had been rounded up after the\u00a0Haymarket Affair<\/a>\u00a0on May 4, 1886 \u2014 in which a bomb was thrown during a Chicago labor rally that resulted in the death of eight police officers and at least four civilians \u2014 were convicted by a jury and sentenced to death by hanging.<\/p>\n Four of the convicted\u00a0were hanged<\/a>. One committed suicide before he could be executed. Death sentences for two others were commuted and one was sentenced to prison. The three surviving Haymarket defendants subsequently were pardoned by Illinois Gov. John Altgeld, who concluded they were all innocent.<\/p>\n Though the U.S. honors workers in September \u2014 with Labor Day, which also has Chicago roots \u2014 the May 1886 events are commemorated in Chicago by a memorial on Desplaines Street, north of Randolph Street: a bronze statue of a wagon<\/a>\u00a0that served as a speakers\u2019 platform during the labor meeting.<\/p>\n 1969:<\/strong> Ken Holtzman<\/a> pitched two no-hit games for the Chicago Cubs. This first one was probably more noteworthy for two reasons.<\/p>\n First, Holtzman did not strike out a single Atlanta Brave in this game at Wrigley Field. Second, Hank Aaron slammed a high fly that actually cleared the left-field wall.<\/p>\n Bleacherites were bracing for the descending ball as a souvenir when the wind blew the ball back into the field of play, where Billy Williams caught it for the out.<\/p>\n Holtzman, who died<\/a> in 2024, and Jake Arrieta are the only pitchers to throw two no-hitters for the Cubs in the modern era, with Holtzman\u2019s second coming against the Cincinnati Reds on June 3, 1971, at Riverfront Stadium.<\/p>\n 1975:<\/strong> Illinois Gov. Dan Walker signed a bill proposed by third graders at Dennis School in Decatur that made the monarch butterfly<\/a> the state insect of Illinois.<\/p>\n Vintage Chicago Tribune: How the Tully monster became Illinois\u2019 official state fossil<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The students observed the signing in Springfield.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have here a group of youngsters who are completing a unique experience in the governmental process,\u201d Walker said. \u201cThey proposed, they lobbied, and today are bringing to fruition a new law.\u201d<\/p>\n The state already had a state tree, flower, bird and mineral, but this was the first insect to become an official symbol in Illinois.<\/p>\n 2024:<\/strong> Rookie Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson<\/a> delivered a short but spirited pitch during the kickoff of the Democratic National Convention.<\/p>\n Johnson opened his speech by declaring Chicago \u201cthe greatest city in the world,\u201d shouting out its long roster of Black and female trailblazers over the decades: the journalist Ida B. Wells, women\u2019s suffrage activist Jane Addams, civil rights legend the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the nation\u2019s first Black president, Barack Obama.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd now, Chicago \u2014 this city of hard work and caring people \u2014 is where Democrats will celebrate President Joe Biden and nominate Kamala Harris for president of the United States of America,\u201d Johnson said to applause. \u201cAs the son of a family that worked to make ends meet, I know that Kamala Harris \u2014 the daughter of a mom who worked hard every single day \u2014 she is going to look out for the interests of people.\u201d<\/p>\n Demonstrators chant, break fencing, but first major protest of DNC stays mostly peaceful<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Want more vintage Chicago?<\/p>\n Subscribe to the free\u00a0Vintage Chicago Tribune<\/a>\u00a0newsletter, join our\u00a0Chicagoland history Facebook group,<\/a> stay current with Today in Chicago History<\/a> and follow us on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0for more from Chicago\u2019s past.<\/p>\n Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0mmather@chicagotribune.com<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CTC-L-H-H-HOLMES-MURDER-CASTLE-1895-01.jpg\")
This schematic of the Chicago building owned by serial killer H.H. Holmes originally was published in the New York World, then was republished by the Tribune on Aug. 18, 1895. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n\n
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The 1886 Haymarket Square riot is a piece of Chicago’s labor heritage. (Chicago Tribune historic illustration)<\/p>\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CTC-L-AP-KEN-HOLTZMAN-NO-HITTER-1969-01.jpg\")
Chicago Cubs third baseman Ron Santo, left, leaps in the air after rushing to the mound to congratulate Ken Holtzman after he no-hit the Atlanta Braves in Chicago on Aug. 19, 1969. Holtzman, who walked three, said he relied mostly on fast balls en route to his first career no-hitter. Santo hit a three-run homer in the first, and the Cubs won, 3-0. (James Palmer\/AP)<\/p>\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CTC-L-KEN-HOLTZMAN-NO-HITTER-CUBS-1969-01.jpg\")
Chicago Cubs pitcher Ken Holtzman’s no-hitter on Aug. 19, 1969, against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field was the first for the franchise in nine years. Holtzman earned his second no-hitter with the Cubs in 1971. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CTC-L-CT-ct-speed-camera-chicago-tribune-136_181693479.jpg\")
A monarch butterfly feeds on flowers at Gompers Park on Sept. 24, 2015, in Chicago (Erin Hooley\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ctc-l-dnc-caddy-sweda-012_202208582.jpg\")
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson gives opening remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n\n