{"id":817884,"date":"2026-05-24T00:16:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T00:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/817884\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T00:16:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T00:16:53","slug":"illinois-250-celebrating-the-states-fabulous-firsts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/817884\/","title":{"rendered":"Illinois 250: Celebrating the state’s fabulous firsts"},"content":{"rendered":"

This Fourth of July the United States marks its 250th anniversary (or semiquincentennial) of existence. Some might be conflicted when it comes to celebrating our divided country this year. And, it turns out, some Chicagoans in 1876<\/a>\u00a0felt the same way.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince the (Civil) War, the average Chicagoan has taken comparatively little interest in \u2018the day we celebrate,’\u201d the Tribune observed on July 5, 1876. \u201cNothing of (the Fourth of July) remains to-day, so far as Chicago is concerned, save a large number of headaches, the smoldering ruins of a few small-sized conflagrations, an occasional thumbless hand, and a general feeling of used-upness.<\/p>\n

\u201cA hundred years hence, (people) may search the files of the Tribune of the century previous to ascertain how the then half-million population of Chicago celebrated the first Centennial of the nation\u2019s existence for the purpose of instituting a kind of Plutarchian comparison between the days that were and the days that are. \u2026 and they will do just as Chicago did yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes, fireworks, cookouts and parades will still mark the occasion. And there likely will be much reflection on the country\u2019s ingenuity and tenacity \u2014 including that shown by the Prairie State over the past 250 years.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why the Tribune is taking a look back at what the Chicago area and the state of Illinois have uniquely contributed to the nation \u2014 and the world \u2014 from scientific inventions and pioneering businesses to food, culture, sports and transportation modernizations.<\/p>\n

The seven-part series starts today and will run each Sunday leading up to the July 4 weekend. . Expect about 35 items each week in our attempt to compile a list of 250.<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s focus is fabulous firsts \u2014 ideas that took root here in Illinois before they captured the world\u2019s attention. You\u2019ll learn that our state is home to giants of industry and innovation. Entrepreneurs have launched first-of-their-kind ventures here. We have welcomed diversity, better representation, empowerment and demonstration on behalf of people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, those with disabilities and women.<\/p>\n

Our residents have perfected techniques to help save lives of people, animals and the environment. Some Chicagoans have been honored for their work with awards \u2014 including the Nobel Prize \u2014 or lifetime achievement honors. Others have been declared saintly for their devotion to the sick and poor. Then there are people or events we might prefer to forget for they have brought death or destruction. But combined with the good, these are the things that make up the fabric of the place we live.<\/p>\n

Here, in chronological order, is a handpicked list \u2014 by no means a comprehensive one \u2014 of homegrown accomplishments to celebrate this year.<\/p>\n

Oldest Black-founded town in the United States (1836) and first majority-Black town in America (1873)<\/p>\n