Weather records <\/strong>(from the National Weather Service, Chicago<\/a>)<\/p>\n In response to White Chicagoans mocking the first Black fire crew in 1872, they wanted to prove themselves as good, if not better<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 1872:<\/strong> The Tribune reported a Black fire company \u2014 Engine 21<\/a> \u2014 would be stationed on May Street. Just six years later the station\u2019s \u201csliding pole\u201d was invented and would later be adopted worldwide.<\/p>\n 1924:<\/strong> Stateville prison in Joliet<\/a> was dedicated. More than 2,000 people traveled to see what was then known as the world\u2019s most modern prison.<\/p>\n Vintage Chicago Tribune: 10 infamous people condemned to Stateville prison<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The facility was closed in 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n 1925:<\/strong> The Pottsville (Pa.) Maroons beat the Chicago Cardinals<\/a> 21-7 at a snowy Comiskey Park in what was considered the league title game. Pottsville, however, was suspended by the league<\/a> for then playing an exhibition game against a team of Notre Dame all-stars.<\/p>\n Incensed that Pottsville infringed on another NFL team\u2019s territory (the Frankford Yellow Jackets), then-NFL President Joe Carr fined Pottsville $500 and awarded the Cardinals the title<\/a> in the process. Yet, the Cardinals also played a hastily organized game \u2014 against a team that included four players from Englewood High School. The Cardinals were awarded the 1925 championship, but its club head refused to accept the title. NFL officials and owners reviewed the decision in 2003, but concluded that Pottsville be awarded the league\u2019s \u201cPioneer Award\u201d while the Cardinals keep the title.<\/p>\n 2016:<\/strong> The Chicago White Sox traded five-time All-Star pitcher Chris Sale<\/a> to the Boston Red Sox for prospects, infielder Yoan Moncada, right-hander Michael Kopech, outfielder Luis Basabe and right-hander Victor Diaz.<\/p>\n Sale was acquired by the Atlanta Braves<\/a> in 2023.<\/p>\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\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ctc-29059835.jpg\")
A birds eye view of the Illinois penitentiary at Stateville shows the circular roundhouses on Oct. 1, 1934. (Max Kolin\/for the Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n\n
![\"Though](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/CTC-L-POTTSVILLE-CHICAGO-CARDINALS-1925-01.jpg\")
Though the Pottsville Maroons beat the Chicago Cardinals in the title game on Dec. 6, 1925, the Cardinals were later awarded the championship due to a technicality that disqualified the Maroons. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/CTC-L-IMG_CT-SALEjpg_2_1_6UA24MDB_182000419.jpg\")
Chicago White Sox starter Chris Sale (49) on the mound in the first inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 28, 2016. (Erin Hooley\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n