Front page flashback:<\/strong> Jan. 4, 1984<\/p>\n Navy Lt. Robert Goodman Jr.<\/a>, whose plane was shot down during a U.S. raid against Syrian positions in Lebanon, was freed after a month\u2019s captivity in Syria following an appeal by Jesse Jackson.<\/p>\n Weather records <\/strong>(from the National Weather Service, Chicago<\/a>)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 1943:<\/strong> Three Bentley brothers<\/a> teamed up to score a goal for the Chicago Blackhawks in a 3-3 tie against the Rangers<\/a> in New York.<\/p>\n \u201cAt 5:44 Reg Bentley poked home a goal from a melee in front of the Ranger net, with his two brothers (Doug and Max) drawing assists,\u201d the AP reported.<\/p>\n 1971:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>The new\u00a0McCormick Place<\/a>\u00a0opened \u2014 almost four years after the previous structure was destroyed by a fire \u2014 with 700 exhibits of women\u2019s fashions.<\/p>\n 1975:<\/strong> The Chicago Bears introduced Jack Pardee<\/a> as head coach.<\/p>\n From George Halas to Ben Johnson: What was said about every Chicago Bears coach when they were hired<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Pardee\u2019s record was 20-22 (.476) from 1975-77.<\/p>\n 2019:<\/strong> A federal criminal complaint<\/a> unsealed on this date charged former 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke<\/a> with attempted extortion for allegedly using his position as alderman to try to steer business to his private law firm from a company seeking to renovate a Burger King in his ward.<\/p>\n The Dishonor Roll: Chicago officials<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Burke\u00a0was convicted<\/a> Dec. 21, 2023, by a federal jury of racketeering conspiracy and a dozen other counts. He was sentenced June 24, 2024, to two years<\/a> in federal prison. Less than 10 months after reporting to federal prison, Burke was released in July 2025<\/a> to spend the rest of his sentence in the Chicago area, according to federal officials.<\/p>\n Want more vintage Chicago?<\/p>\n Subscribe to the free\u00a0Vintage Chicago Tribune<\/a>\u00a0newsletter, join our\u00a0Chicagoland history Facebook group<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Instagram<\/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![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/CTC-L-JESSE-JACKSON-SECURES-RELEASE-OF-GOODMAN-FREEDOM-1984-01.jpg\")
President Ronald Reagan said the release of Navy Lt. Robert Goodman Jr. on Jan. 3, 1984, would be “helpful” for U.S.-Syria relations and could unite the countries in working toward peace in Lebanon. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/CTC-L-CTHIST-mccormick-place-16_229055179.jpg\")
The new McCormick Place at 23rd Street and Lake Michigan opened with the Style Exhibitions show. (Chicago Tribune historical photo, circa Dec. 22, 1970)<\/p>\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ctc-29045771.jpg\")
Chicago Bears general manager Jim Finks, right, and head coach Jack Pardee, review the first-round picks at their La Salle Hotel draft headquarters on Jan. 28, 1975. Finks and Pardee are pointing at their No. 1 draft choice, Walter Payton. (Phil Mascione\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n\n
![\"Longtime](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/CTC-L-ALD-EDWARD-BURKE-CHARGED-2019-01.jpg\")
Longtime Ald. Edward Burke was charged in a federal criminal complaint, unsealed Jan. 3, 2019, with attempted extortion. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n\n